Tickets usually cost £9
Tatton Park, Cheshire, in the snow(Image: Wilmslow Express)
A beautiful stately home near Liverpool is opening its garden for free this winter. Lucky for us on Merseyside, we’re never too far away from a scenic walk, a fun activity or a thriving independent businesses to visit.
As we head further into January, many of us will be looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city or even venture on an hour or two drive to unwind and explore somewhere completely different. You can’t beat wrapping up warm and heading out on a winter walk this time of year, especially when there’s a chill in the air.
And now National Trust site Tatton Park is offering free entry to its beautiful garden this winter, providing the perfect location for a seasonal stroll. The Cheshire-based country estate is opening up its 50-acre landscaped garden for free until February 14, the MEN reports.
The garden is open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) and visitors won’t need a ticket to enter the gardens. Just under an hour away by car from Liverpool city centre, Tatton Park’s garden entry usually costs £9 for an adult or £7 for a child, while a family ticket is £17.
But for the coming weeks, visitors can enter it without paying a penny and there’s no need to book – as you can simply turn up on the day. And if you’re looking for a wintry wander, Tatton’s magnificent garden is the perfect place.
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There’s so much to explore, including the beautiful 100-year Japanese garden, which features a beautiful Tea House, pond and bridge. Or have a walk around the Italian Garden, and admire the 18th century mansion which looks particularly magical when dusted with snow.
You might think winter is the worst time of year to visit a garden, but at Tatton Park there’s still plenty to see. One of the oldest features of the garden is the pinetum, which features over 150 specimens from around the world.
It’s the perfect palace to visit on a crisp winter’s day, with the scent of pines filling the air. If you want to seek shelter from the cold weather, step inside the fernery where you’ll discover a range of New Zealand tree ferns, transporting you to a distant land.
As you wander around the gardens, look out for snowdrops and crocuses making their first appearances as spring approaches. The gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm with last entry at 3pm.
Free entry only applies to the gardens and tickets are required for the parkland vehicle entry, or entry to the mansion or working farm. For more information visit the Tatton Park website here.