Visitors in the garden at Speke Hall, Liverpool | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Gardens and parks in Liverpool and Lancashire

To gardens filled with history and colour at Speke Hall, to a peaceful garden with canal walks at Rufford Old Hall, this corner of the North West is full of colourful blooms at this time of year.

A man and a women dressed for winter walking through the garden at Speke Hall.

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Speke Hall

From peaceful strolls through colourful borders, to adventures in the woodland and spotting wildlife in the secret garden, there's plenty of seasonal joy to find at Speke Hall.

Bluebells in the garden at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

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The gardens at Rufford Old Hall have lots of variety, from giant squirrel topiary and beehives, to picnic spots in the orchard and peaceful walks by the canal. Don't miss the huge displays of snowdrops take over the woodland creating a beautiful display from mid-January.

Visitors climbing steps in the south garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire in summer

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Gawthorpe Hall

Take a leisurely stroll around the formal garden with its views of the River Calder. Relax in the ornamental terraced garden to the north of the hall or the landscaped garden to the south.

From blossom to bluebells and daffodils to rhododendrons, here's just some of what to look out for in the gardens in Liverpool and Lancashire in spring.

Pale pink and white apple blossom in the fruit orchard at Cotehele, Cornwall

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Blossom at Speke Hall

In the orchard at Speke Hall you’ll see apple trees beginning to blossom, adorned with pink and white flowers, as well as plum trees further towards the entrance. Take a seat on the picnic benches alongside the orchard and enjoy the beauty of the trees and the planted beds running along the pathway.

Gardener mowing grass at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

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Blossom at Rufford Old Hall

Rufford's orchard is a hidden oasis in the middle of the garden. The first recording of an orchard at Rufford is from 1779, when the hall was leased out at an annual rent of £22 and 16 shillings. Today, the orchard contains a varieties of apple trees, including Keswick Codlin, Duke of Devenshire, Lemon Pippin and Bramleys seedling, which are full of white and light pinks in April and May.

A woman taking a picture of another woman, who is standing amid a carpet of daffodils in front of a grey stone mansion

Where to see daffodils

From Speke Hall to Rufford Old Hall, discover the best spring gardens to see daffodils in Liverpool and Lancashire. At some places, gardeners have been planting thousands of bulbs ready to bloom in spring.

Bluebells carpet the woodland at Speke Hall, Merseyside, and a path winds between the trees

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Speke Hall hidden paths trail

Explore the hidden paths around the garden and through the ancient woodland surrounding Speke Hall. From late-April to the end of May, the winding paths are surrounded by a sea of delicate bluebells.

The gardens in the spring at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

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Bluebells at Rufford Old Hall

Rufford Old Hall’s woods are awash with bluebells in April and May. Follow winding paths and step over bridges that give you a close up viewpoint of the carpet of blue below. The black and white Tudor hall makes the perfect backdrop for your spring photos.

Rhododendrons in spring in the garden at Speke Hall, Liverpool

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Rhododendrons at Speke Hall

Spring is the perfect time to witness the glorious rhododendrons that border the North Lawn burst into their distinctive purple, pink and yellow colours and make sure to look out for two large cherry tress which come into glorious blossom during spring.

Discover more seasonal blooms in the north of England and Wales with plenty of gardens and parks to visit.