Visits, Walks, Talks
Wednesday 18th MarchAGM & talk by Advolly Richmond OBE "A Short History of Flowers - the stories that make our gardens"
 | Ness Botanic Gardens, Neston Road, Ness, Wirral, CH64 4AYThe Cheshire Gardens Trust's 21st AGM will be held in the Lecture Theatre at 1.30pm and will be followed an illustrated talk by Advolly Richmond OBE, a book signing and then tea and cake in the Hulme Conservatory. Advolly will be known to many as a presenter of Garden History led features for Gardeners' World & Gardeners' Question Time. She is a fellow of the Linnean Society and was honoured in the King's New Year's Honours 2026 for services to equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Horticulture. She is a long time supporter of the Garden Trust.Advolly's talk is based on her latest book in which she unravels the surprising histories of flowers that make our gardens. This was a finalist for the Gardening Book of the Year in the Garden Media Guild Awards 2024. Members of Cheshire Gardens Trust and their Guests will also have complementary access to the Ness Gardens from 10.00am and to the Botanic Kitchen Garden where snacks, breakfast and lunch are available for purchase. If you are not a Member/Guest but wish to join CGT in order to participate in this event, please go to the 'join us' area on the home page of this website and complete your membership application before booking for the event for which the closing date is 11th March. When submitting the booking form please help us by adding a note saying that you are a new member and give the date of your payment, this will alleviate problems arising from the short timescales.
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Wednesday 29th AprilBluebell Walk and guided house tour at Rode Hall
 | Rode Hall & Gardens, Church Lane, Scholar Green, ST7 3QPArrive 10.45 for our exclusive 11.00 guided tour of the House, followed by Coffee/Tea & homemade cake in the courtyard kitchen. You will then be free to explore the garden at your leisure.Rode Hall’s Grade II listed garden is particularly beautiful in early Spring when the bluebells and rare varieties of early flowering shrubs are abundant. Built in 1803 by John Webb implementing Humphrey Repton’s original design, the garden has been developed by the present owners to extend the seasonal interest from February through to Autumn. For further information about the house and gardens see www.rodehall.co.uk Please note that the paths are surfaced with woodbark/gravel and whilst walking aids such as scooters and buggies with larger wheels may cope with the terrain, the garden is not suitable for wheelchair users. As the number of places is limited to 25, early booking is recommended.
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Thursday 21st May, 10.00Guided tour of the gardens at Chester Zoo
 | Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, CH2 1LEChester Zoo was founded by the Mottershead family and opened on 10th June 1931. What began as a family zoo has grown into a globally renowned centre for conservation and scientific research. The zoo is a key part of 139 international breeding programmes, working with 62 conservation partners in 19 countries to protect flora and fauna. The focus of our visit is a guided tour of the zoo’s award-winning botanical gardens. These are home to thousands of plants from around the world, including 2000 carnivorous plants, over 1500 individual species of cacti and many which are critically endangered. They also hold 5 national collections.We will meet at 10.00 for our guided tour starting at 10.30 and lasting approximately 90 minutes. After the tour we will be free to explore the zoo, enjoy lunch in one of the cafes on-site or picnic at one of many benches (buy on-site or bring your own). Numbers are capped at 20 and the strictly final closing date for application is 18th April at the latest. The zoo is accessible and offers free mobility scooters which must be booked in advance with the zoo (tel 01244 380280)
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