Staffordshire Garden Trail created by Enjoy Staffordshire

Enjoy Staffordshire has revealed a new Staffordshire Garden Trail to celebrate the Year of the English Garden and the 300th anniversary of the birth of landscaper Capability Brown.

The trail includes 20 gardens including those at the National Memorial Arboretum, Middleton Hall and Alton Towers Resort.

The route also takes in gardens at The Trentham Estate and Weston Park, both of which were landscaped by Capability Brown.

The National Trust’s Biddulph Grange Garden in the Staffordshire Moorlands is another highlight from the trail. The garden includes exotic plants from around the world and a range of sculptures such as sphinxes, a sacred crow and even a Great Wall of China.

Other National Trust properties that can be visited on the route include Mosely Old Hall – known for its intricate knot garden and connections with King Charles II – and the Dorothy Clive Garden with its new Royal Botanic Glasshouse.

The trail is supported by a leaflet, which includes a map and a selection of vouchers, plus a list of local garden centres groups can visit.

Capability Brown’s Staffordshire

In the 18th century, Capability Brown’s transformed stately home gardens and landscapes across the country – as well as a number of different properties in Staffordshire.

2016 marks the anniversary of his birth and there are a number of different events running throughout the country to celebrate.

In Staffordshire, for example, groups can celebrate by visiting the Graham Colling exhibition at Ganary Art Gallery, which includes photographs of some of Brown’s best work at Weston Park.

There will also be Capability Brown tours running at The Trentham Estate, and Capability Brown Autumn Walks at Weston Park.

For more information and to download the Garden Trail leaflet visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com.