A view of the area known as The Pinetum, with tall pine trees lining a path, taken in the evening light, from the Cheshire Cottage, at Biddulph Grange Garden, Staffordshire — The area known as The Pinetum, taken from the Cheshire Cottage, at Biddulph Grange Garden, Staffordshire | © National Trust Images/Nick Meers

Shropshire & Staffordshire

Garden trail at Biddulph Grange

Discover seasonal highlights along this easy trail through the garden at Biddulph Grange Garden, passing through the Italian Garden, the Pinetum and the Chinese Garden.

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

Total steps: 4

Start point

The Italian Garden

Step 1

Walk through the Italian Garden, then turn right at the roundabout yew onto Lime Avenue.

The Lime Avenue in October at Biddulph Grange Garden, Staffordshire. — Lime Avenue with autumn leaves on the path | © National Trust Images/Robert Morris

Step 2

At the ornamental gates, turn left, then continue left up the gravel path to cross the tennis lawn. As you exit the tennis lawn you will face the house and lake. Turn right through the tunnel into the pinetum.

Planting in the Pinetum

Within the Pinetum, fine lawns flank a gravel path, with raised banks of different shapes and heights behind them. Bateman planted in generous groups to create striking features. The Pinetum is planted with Bateman's collection of evergreens from around the world, including monkey puzzle trees and the garden's oldest Wellingtonias which are planted high up as Bateman wanted the visitor to admire the roots, trunk and canopy of the trees.

Step 3

Enter the Cheshire Cottage facing you. Look briefly to your right to see the Ape of Thoth, then turn to your left to walk down the tunnel out into the Egyptian court.

A pair of Egyptian Sphinxes set against yews cut to form a pyramid and flanking a stone archway in the garden at Biddulph, Staffordshire — A pair of Egyptian Sphinxes at Biddulph | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Step 4

Pass under the arch of the beech hedge and turn left then left again to bring you into the stumpery, the oldest stumpery in the country made entirely of oak stumps. As you descend the steps, turn left opposite the Shelter House to take you into the Chinese Garden. From here, continue to explore the garden at your own pace.

Seasonal colour in the Chinese Garden

The Chinese Garden is at its visually most magnificent in the autumn with pillar-box-red acers and the glow of the golden larch, all against a backdrop of the pagoda adorned with gold seahorses, ducks and bells. It is designed around the Victorian idea of a Chinese garden as depicted on the famous willow plate. Spend some time here exploring the Joss House, Watch Tower and intricate pathways.

End point

The Chinese Garden

Trail map

An illustrated map of the garden at Biddulph Grange Garden, Staffordshire — A map of the garden at Biddulph Grange Garden | © National Trust

The Golden Water Buffalo in the area known as 'China' at Biddulph, Staffordshire. The buffalo is seen lying down with its head up and a sun disc between its horns. The statue is surrounded by trees turning red and brown in autumn.

Place

Biddulph Grange Garden

A masterpiece of Victorian garden design - a quirky, playful paradise

Grange Road, Biddulph, Staffordshire, ST8 7SD

01782517999

biddulphgrange@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Garden trail at Biddulph Grange

Total steps: 4