![Visitors in the garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire: a child stands on railings with the house in the background](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/liverpool-lancashire/places/gawthorpe-hall/library/summer/visitors-gawthorpe-hall-lancashire-1429185.jpg?auto=webp&width=767&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Discover more in Liverpool and Lancashire
Journey from a Tudor house to the childhood homes of Lennon & McCartney via coastal pinewoods and a photographic time capsule.
From a peaceful garden with canal walks at Rufford Old Hall to gardens filled with history and colour at Speke Hall, this corner of the North West is full of colourful blooms throughout summer.
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.
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.
Take a leisurely stroll around the formal garden with its views of the River Calder. Relax in the ornamental terraced garden or find a wildflower in full bloom in the Walled Garden.
The Liverpool and Lancashire gardens are full of vibrant colour and scents throughout summer. Here are some of the things to look out for…
Find rhododendrons in every colour in the gardens at Speke Hall and Rufford Old Hall in June and July. Soon after, keep an eye out for hydrangeas brightening borders with their delicate flowers in shades of pink, white and blue.
Find roses that were popular in Victorian times at Speke Hall such as the fragrant Margaret Meryl white roses. Or head to Rufford Old Hall to find pastel-coloured roses dotted alongside the walls and side of the Tudor house.
Take a seat in the Squirrel Border at Rufford Old Hall. Here you can see the mischievous duo of giant squirrel-shaped topiary, which used to be cut in the shape of pheasants back in the 1900s. The gardeners work hard to keep the expertly manicured topiary tip-top all year round.
The newly refurbished Walled Garden at Gawthorpe Hall is in full bloom throughout the summer. Keep your eye out for butterflies and bees – and if you’re lucky you might catch the rare white letter hairstreak butterfly that feeds on the elm tree that sits here.
Discover more seasonal blooms in the north of England and Wales with plenty of gardens and parks to visit.
From the glorious garden at Dunham Massey to the industrial garden landscape at Quarry Bank, this corner of the North West is full of colourful blooms throughout summer.
The Lakes is known for its dramatic, wild landscapes, but it's home to some intriguing gardens too. Explore castle grounds, a cottage garden that inspired Beatrix Potter, and more.
Enjoy Yorkshire's summer gardens and parks, from the landscaped views at Fountains Abbey, to the borders and pathways at Beningbrough and Wentworth Castle Gardens and hidden gems like Goddards.
Visit an amazing collection of gardens and parks in Wales. From walled gardens to arboretums and countryside estates, there’s plenty to explore.
Journey from a Tudor house to the childhood homes of Lennon & McCartney via coastal pinewoods and a photographic time capsule.