What's on in the area

Tatton Park Flower Show

Jul 2009 (annual)

Cost: Various; discounted rates for RHS members

Hours: 10am-6.30pm (until 5pm final day)

Launched in 1999, the Tatton Park Flower Show is held at the lovely National Trust property in Cheshire, and attracts over 80,000 visitors every year.

A mix of design ideas, horticultural excellence and great shopping, the show includes several marquees featuring glorious floral displays from RHS award-winning specialist nurseries. The RHS National Flowerbed competition, the Plant Plaza and the Country Living Magazine Pavilion showcase all the very best arts, crafts and local produce, making this one of the biggest events in the gardening calendar.

Tatton Park is a National Trust-owned estate of 2000 acres set in the heart of Cheshire. The neoclassical mansion is a handsome stately home but the real lure for visitors are the beautiful gardens - 14 different spaces in total - which have been developed over the generations from the 18th century to the present day.

The different gardens offer a fascinating walk through horticultural history, each reflecting the style and fashion of its day. They include the Italian Garden designed by Joseph Paxton (the architect responsible for Crystal Palace in London); Charlotte's Garden, renowned for its slow-growing yew topiary; the nationally famous Japanese Garden; the intimate and cosy Rose Garden and the stone-dominated Tower Garden. There are also a Fernery, a Kitchen Garden and a dramatic Arboretum which is lovely to visit all year round.

Tatton Park