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Day 262/365: Biddulph Grange Gardens
On our way up to the Lake District in August, we stopped off at a National Trust property to eat our lunch. We chose Biddulph Grange Gardens, and I’m so glad we did. The gardens were spectacular, even by NT standards, and this ranks as one of our favourites (and the bloke and I have been to a fair few). It was laid out in a tangled nest of paths, some leading to the next garden, others to little cul-de-sacs full of one particular type of flower or tree. Some gardens were very formal and themed, and others scarcely more than a wild tangle of leaves and fronds. It was great fun to explore.
Whichever staircase you choose, you will end up someplace magical.
The house itself (not open to the public).
Keiki doesn’t know where to look first.
Humuhumu does, though.
She found the pond with the enormous koi carp, and led the bloke and Keiki to it.
The koi were surprisingly amenable to the attentions of children.
They even seemed to enjoy showing off. This big orange one had a fondness for blowing bubbles.
More bubble-blowing.
Big Grey Koi actually did allow Keiki to stroke it with his finger. It made his day.
Red dahlias.
Keiki and Humuhumu prancing past the dahlia beds.
Keiki, Humuhumu and bloke under a stone arch.
Keiki considers the moss on the stones.
Humuhumu and the bloke march up the stone steps, heedless of mossy distractions.
Here Be Dragons.
The pretty, colourful bridge over the pond in the Chinese Garden.
Humuhumu and the bloke were the first to reach the bridge.
Standing on the bridge, looking across the pond of the Chinese Garden.
Another view of the Chinese Garden pond.
Keiki and Humuhumu ascend the steep stone staircase to a pagoda nestling high above the rest of the Chinese Garden.
And now back down, to find the tiniest waterfall.
Tiniest waterfall.
Humuhumu in exploring mode.
Rose hips.
Hydrangeas.
Keiki and Humuhumu found some sweet chestnuts in the hydrangea garden.
They also found a hidden painted rock.
Is this the way out or a way back in? Who knows.
Whichever staircase you choose, you will end up someplace magical.
The house itself (not open to the public).
Keiki doesn’t know where to look first.
Humuhumu does, though.
She found the pond with the enormous koi carp, and led the bloke and Keiki to it.
The koi were surprisingly amenable to the attentions of children.
They even seemed to enjoy showing off. This big orange one had a fondness for blowing bubbles.
More bubble-blowing.
Big Grey Koi actually did allow Keiki to stroke it with his finger. It made his day.
Red dahlias.
Keiki and Humuhumu prancing past the dahlia beds.
Keiki, Humuhumu and bloke under a stone arch.
Keiki considers the moss on the stones.
Humuhumu and the bloke march up the stone steps, heedless of mossy distractions.
Here Be Dragons.
The pretty, colourful bridge over the pond in the Chinese Garden.
Humuhumu and the bloke were the first to reach the bridge.
Standing on the bridge, looking across the pond of the Chinese Garden.
Another view of the Chinese Garden pond.
Keiki and Humuhumu ascend the steep stone staircase to a pagoda nestling high above the rest of the Chinese Garden.
And now back down, to find the tiniest waterfall.
Tiniest waterfall.
Humuhumu in exploring mode.
Rose hips.
Hydrangeas.
Keiki and Humuhumu found some sweet chestnuts in the hydrangea garden.
They also found a hidden painted rock.
Is this the way out or a way back in? Who knows.