Biddulph Grange Garden – A Trip Around the World at a National Trust Garden

Would you like to visit China, Egypt, Italy and many other places in just one day? No, I’m not talking about a virtual tour here. There’s actually a unique National Trust site, called Biddulph Grange Garden in Staffordshire where, in walking around it, you’ll feel like you’ve completed a trip around the world.

As a travel lover, the potential to see unique elements from all over the world was definitely the main reason I wanted to visit the garden. But there’s much more to it then you’d think. So, if you love combining travel, science, religion and horticulture, then you must put Biddulph Grange Garden onto your itinerary.

If you’d like to see our visit to Biddulph Grange Garden then make sure to watch our YouTube video by clicking here.

About Biddulph Grange Garden

Located in Biddulph, to the north of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire is a unique Victorian garden called Biddulph Grange Garden. It was created by James Bateman to display his excessive collection of plants that he and his wife had collected from around the world. However, the beautiful garden you see today has gone through a lot of changes and been used for many different purposes over time.

Prior to 1840 – when Bateman bought it – it was a bog-standard rectory. Later (between 1923 and the 1960’s) the house was used as a children’s hospital called the ‘North Staffordshire Cripples’ Hospital’ and later the ‘Biddulph Grange Orthopaedic Hospital’. Obviously, during this time the garden was neglected and some parts around Dahlia Walk were even filled in. Around this time the property got divided with the house and garden used by the hospital and the remaining land becoming the Biddulph Grange Country Park. Today, the land is still divided: one part is Biddulph Grange Garden and the other is the Country Park.

Restoration works started in 1988 after the National Trust took ownership of Biddulph Grange Garden. Today, the 15 acres (6.1 ha) landscaped garden is divided into different themes such as Egypt, China and Italy showing you something unique from those places.

How to get to Biddulph Grange Garden?

By car: Biddulph Grange Garden is located 7 miles north of Stoke-on-Trent and 3.5 miles south-east of Congleton. If you arrive by car, use ST8 7SD in your SatNav and also follow the signs leading you to the garden. The car park will be just off the A527 Congleton Road which is free for National Trust members and also included in your ticket price.

If you don’t have your own car but would like to enjoy the freedom of a private vehicle, then you can always hire a car to get to Biddulph Grange Garden.

By bus/train: If you decide to use public transport there is a bus stop along the A527 a few hundred meters’ from the Garden’s entrance. Bus 94 operates regular services between Congleton and Newcastle-under-Lyme. There are regular services between Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent. The bus passes Congleton Train Station which offers train services between Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent. Make sure to plan your journey with Trainline which also provides information on bus fares. If you come from further afield, I suggest getting to either of these places first, then getting the bus to Biddulph Grange Garden. 

Top Tip – If you’re planning on travelling across the UK by train a lot, then check out some Railcard options which allow you to save some pennies on your train fares.

By bike: If you decide to hop on your bike there are plenty of national and local cycle routes running in the vicinity of the garden.

Cost to enter Biddulph Grange Garden

Entry fee to Biddulph Grange Garden is £12 for adults and £6 for children. Further information on tickets can be found on the website.

If you’re a member of the National Trust you can visit this stunning garden free of charge. You can read about the different kinds of membership by clicking here.

Facilities at Biddulph Grange Garden

Cafés and Picnic Spots – If you’d like to grab a drink or something to eat then Biddulph Grange Tea Room offers a good variety of hot and cold drinks, lunches and of course delicious cakes. If you visit the garden on a nice day, I recommend bringing your own picnic with you. You can bring your own picnic blanket and find a great spot to eat anywhere on the grass within the gardens. There’s also a designated picnic area adjacent to the car park which you can still use. 

Gift Shop – You can stop by the gift shop if you’d like to browse for some home-made products and trinkets. 

Toilets – There are toilet facilities available next to the main entrance. 

What to do and see at Biddulph Grange Garden?

The garden will take you on a journey around the world. One minute you’re in China then the next you’re entering a tomb-like tunnel in Egypt. These sections are cleverly divided in a unique way by using tunnels, rocks and shrubs which add to the element of surprise. 

1. The China Garden

Without doubt my favourite part of Biddulph Grange Garden was the China Garden. They definitely packed a lot of features together here like the ‘Great Wall’, the pagoda, the bridge, the tower and doorways. 

The interest in Chinese gardening wasn’t a new style in Bateman’s time. This interest had been around for quite some time, however, it was fading in the 1800s. Therefore, the China Garden is considered a Victorian take on the old style with a lot of focus on Chinese plants not just architecture. 

I think this section of the garden looked even more stunning with the autumn colours.

2. Dahlia Walk

The 15 acre (6.1 ha) garden’s most colourful feature is the Dahlia Walk. Different types of dahlias are planted between the massive yew hedges in June. They then flower up until early September when they reach their peak. In October the dahlias are replaced by a mixture of bulbs which will provide some colours come the spring. 

As with many parts of Biddulph Grange Garden, the Dahlia Walk was filled in completely during the time the house was used as a hospital. Again, when the National Trust took over they made a huge effort to restore the walk which we can appreciate now.

3. The Egyptian Garden

The Egyptian Garden’s best features are the two sphinx that guard the entrance of the tomb-like temple / tunnel. The stone entrance has an image of the sun god, Ra. But that’s not all…

This ‘inviting’ dark tunnel leads to a small, red lit chamber where the Ape of Thoth sits (or rather squats). The Ape of Thoth is a Buddha-like monkey-god but with the head of a baboon.

I really look forward to coming back and seeing this spooky by humorous figure for myself.

4. Lime Avenue

Don’t miss walking along Lime Avenue, a curving gravel drive with formal lawns and old lime trees on either side. Lime Avenue is actually the oldest part of Bidduph Grange Garden. 

Fun Fact – Lime Avenue used to be part of the original toll road running between Biddulph and Congleton.

5. Wellingtonia Walk

Make sure to walk along Wellingtonia Avenue. The Long Walk (yes it’ll take a bit of time to walk along it) has alternating young Giant Redwood and Deodar Cedar on either side. On the top there’s an urn from where you get a great view over Biddulph Valley.

Fun Fact – It took 20 years to restore this section of the garden. 

6. The House and The Lake

The first section you’ll come across is the house and the lake in front of it. Make sure you take in the beautiful view from the upper terrace before you start exploring the garden. At the end of your stroll, you’ll circle back around to the lake once more. From this angle you’ll be treated with a fantastic reflection of the house in the water. (As shown on the cover photo.)

7. The Cheshire Cottage

Make sure you don’t miss the adorable looking half-timbered Cheshire Cottage. They created a fun passage through the cottage with different levels. (Just mind the steps and the sudden darkness and don’t end up twisting your ankle like I did because I got way too excited about the unexpected passageway.)

Fun Fact – The upper story has 1856 and the Batemans’ initials J&MB inscribed on it. 

8. The Pinetum

A Pinetum is basically a collection of conifers such as pines, monkey puzzles, cedars and deciduous conifers such as larch. You’ll enter this section via a cool stone tunnel that gives you the element of surprise. 

9. The Stumpery

Okay, this section was something that I’ve never seen before. The stumpery is basically a rockery just made of wood instead of rocks. Upside-down oak tree roots are placed on both sides of the path reaching 3 – 4 metres in height. They are placed very close to each other and grow a mixture of plants, ferns and mosses. Some sections of the Stumpery actually turn into a tunnel. How cool is that?

Fun Fact – This stumpery is actually the oldest in England.

10. Geological Gallery

The Geological Gallery, which opened to the public in 1862, displays a selection of fossils and geological strata. Bateman’s aim with the Gallery was to convince visitors of theories that combined the Christian story of creation with the new geological findings.

When the garden and house operated as a hospital the Gallery was used as a storage room. Dr. John Stanley, a geologist, rescued some fossils in the 1970s and when the National Trust took over they continued the restoration.

I think you should definitely visit the Gallery if you can. It should provide you with a better understanding of the story behind Biddulph Grange Garden.

Additional Gardens to Visit in the Area

If you’d like to visit other beautiful gardens and estates that are less than an hours drive away from Biddulph Grange Garden then make sure to check out some of my other blog posts:

Dunham Massey – Explore a historical country house, stroll through a beautiful garden and watch deer casually roaming around you at Dunham Massey. You can read about 6 things to do when visiting the Dunham Massey.

Chatsworth House and Gardens – Explore Britain’s favourite country house and thousands of acres of surrounding parkland.

Quarry Bank Mill – Learn about the history of one of the best preserved textile factories of the Industrial Revolution. Walk around the beautiful garden, explore Styal Country Park and spot planes at Manchester Airport. You can read about 7 things to do to get the most out of your visit at Quarry Bank Mill.

Tatton Park – Owned by the National Trust, Tatton Park is a beautiful historical estate situated to the north of Knutsford. Since the estate has a mansion, a medieval manor house, 50 acres of gardens, an animal farm and 1000 acres of deer park you can easily spend a full day there. You can read about 8 things you must do when visiting Tatton Park.

Lyme Park – This popular National Trust estate has everything you need for a perfect day out: a glorious house filled with history, a magical garden packed with colourful flowers and unique features, a sanctuary packed with deer, many walking trails and stunning views of the surrounding area.

Arley Hall and Gardens –  Explore 500 years of history, a beautiful formal garden and a lovely woodland walk all in one place. You can read about 6 features not to miss when visiting Arley Hall.

Final Thoughts on Biddulph Grange Garden

I really enjoyed how this 15 acre garden managed to take me on a journey around the world. We visited the garden at the end of September 2020 and I absolutely fell in love with it. Since we couldn’t travel abroad in 2020, it was a great way to see iconic elements from all over the world. 

I especially loved the unique way they separated the different sections not to mention all the secret tunnels with surprise views. Since many sections were closed due to restrictions, I’m sure I’ll return to Biddulph again to explore all the areas that I couldn’t during my first visit.

Have you ever been to Biddulph Grange Garden before? How much of the garden did you manage to explore? What was your favourite section? Let me know in the comments below.