National Trust gardens will open weekday evenings

26 May – 24 July 2015 (selected dates)  – National Trust gardens in Cheshire

The National Trust is opening its garden gates across Cheshire for the first time on evenings during the working week.

“We’ve often been asked us if we could open the gardens on summer evenings, particularly by people who work during

the week and want somewhere to relax and ‘de-stress’ in the evening” says Trust spokesperson Debbie Peers. “It’s well

known that gardens are very therapeutic spaces, so we’ll be opening gardens during the evening at

Hare Hill , Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank and Lyme Park on selected dates from 26 May – 24 July”.

A garden at evening really is the place to relax in and unwind after a busy day: research carried out

recently by the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) found that more than a third of people questioned (39%)

said that being in a garden makes them feel healthier, while 79%  believe that access to a garden is

essential for quality of life”.

Emma Hill, Head Gardener at Hare Hill Garden, opening evenings 26 – 28 May and 2 – 4 June said: “The atmosphere in a

garden changes during the evening – the air is often still and you can also hear individual sounds of birds and insects more

clearly. Scents from fragrant plants such as roses and honeysuckle become more intense as the light fades and paler

colours of whites and lavenders come to the fore, whilst more vibrant daytime colours of reds and yellows will gradually

essen as dusk approaches.

It would be great to know people’s own thoughts on the therapeutic value of gardens –let us know by using

#gardenevenings or come along to our garden evenings and find out for yourself!”

As well as horticultural delights, each garden will be offering light refreshments and a little extra ‘something’.

“We have hand massages for gardeners on Rose Garden evenings at Dunham Massey, and music courtesy of students

from the Royal Northern College of Music. Special garden tours at Quarry Bank will reveal the fascinating

story of its 19th century glasshouses which are about to be restored to their former glory, and Lyme Park

will be stepping back in time to hold an Edwardian garden evening” says Debbie Peers.

“At Hare Hill there’ll be a chance to enjoy the spectacular herbaceous border in the walled garden. Planted

entirely in white it reflects the wishes of Hare Hill’s former owner, Colonel Brocklehurst who created the garden

in memory of his brother who lost his life during World War Two”.

National Trust garden evenings take place on selected dates beginning 26 May – 24 July at Hare Hill, Quarry Bank,

Lyme Park and Dunham Massey. Trust gardens at Speke Hall on Merseyside and Rufford Old Hall in Lancashire

will also be taking part in garden evening openings. For dates and full details go towww.nationaltrust.org.uk/nwsummer.

Garden admission applies, National Trust members free.

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