National Trust attractions are double draw for visitors
VISITORS to two of the area's best known National Trust sites are taking advantage of a joint-ticket scheme.
Families are saving the pounds this summer by purchasing a double ticket for Biddulph Grange Gardens and Little Moreton Hall, near Congleton.
-
Helen Wilshaw at Biddulph Grange Gardens
The joint-ticket costs £11 for an adult, £5 for a child or £24.50 for a family.
More than 100,000 people are expected to visit both attractions this year.
Helen Wilshaw, visitor services manager at Biddulph Grange Garden, said the joint-ticket was proving a popular option.
Helen, aged 40, who lives in Biddulph, said: "We've had quite a few people come to us either from Little Moreton Hall, or who have come here and gone to the hall afterwards.
"There's a lot to see and do at both attractions and by buying the joint-ticket, people are saving themselves money."
Biddulph Grange Gardens is expecting up to 70,000 visitors alone this year.
Helen, pictured, said: "We get a lot of different visitors coming to the garden.
"Children come and enjoy feeding the fish in the lakes, running and hiding through the tunnels and ringing the bells in the Chinese garden. Older visitors who come enjoy the garden's peaceful setting and all the plants and flowers which we have.
"The garden is constantly changing with the seasons, so there is always something new to see.
"We are hoping for some good weather this summer, which will hopefully attract even more visitors."
The garden was designed in the mid 19th century by James Bateman to display specimens from his extensive and wide-ranging plant collection.
The garden is set out in a series of connected compartments and visitors travel through tunnels and along pathways to individual gardens inspired by countries around the world, such as the Chinese garden, Italian garden and Egyptian court.
Rare and exotic plants specially collected from all over the globe fill each garden as well as some unusual features from the Victorian period, many of which are unique to Biddulph Grange.
The garden is believed to have the oldest golden larch tree in the country, which came over in the 1840s.
It also has a 10ft-high urn, believe to be the largest stone urn in Britain.
Staff made the discovery at the start of this year while archiving old press cuttings.
Paul Baker, property manager at the garden, said: "We are just in the middle of completing the restoration of a pool in the arboretum area of the garden and next year we are hoping to look at restoring the geological gallery, which is now open."
On the other side of the ticket deal, Little Moreton Hall dates back to the 15th century and is known as one of the finest examples of timber-framed domestic architecture in England.
The medieval Moreton family, which built Little Moreton Hall, were gentleman farmers who profited from the purchase of the land after the Black Death.
They recruited the finest craftsmen and set out building the hall.
A key attraction is the famous South Range and Long Gallery part of the building, built by William Moreton between 1560 - 62 in its crowning glory.
In 1971 the National Trust acquired the five-and-a-half acres of land.
Andrea Roberts, property administrator, said: "The joint ticket is a great idea because while we have a beautiful building here, we only have one acre of gardens. Combining both venues gives visitors the best of both attractions.
"We have free guided tours so people can find out everything they want to know about the building."
Related links:
Full steam ahead for historic railways
Past lessons show town can defeat recession
Comments