Bluebell Cottage Gardens, a rural gem in the heart of Cheshire

What to see

The garden wraps around Bluebell Cottage (our home), with winding paths enticing the visitor to explore its many different sections. There's a very productive small orchard, undersown with a pretty wildflower meadow.

At the top of the garden, modern perennial planting draws the eye across wide borders - but do stop and peer through the hedge at the top of the garden to look for canal boats. Around the house smaller cottage borders are packed with paeonies, roses and pinks. Through a little arch the exotic garden beckons, rich in late summer with bold foliage and bright colours.

Beyond lies the cottage veg plot, neatly set out in smart box hedges. Do stop and admire the chickens in the corner pen - the cockerel especially loves attention.

Finally, the grasses garden, a quiet still space to hide away for a while and just listen to the bird song around you.

Facilities

Hot and cold drinks, locally make cakes and Cheshire Farm Ice Cream are offered on a self-service basis in the nursery tearoom during the week. At busy weekends, Cathy from 'Cake Day!' will be here to serve her excellent selection of home-made cakes and lemonade. There is plenty of seating both inside and out. A toilet is provided for customer use. We do not have a fully accessible toilet - visitors do need to be able to leave the chair for a few steps to use it.

Group Visits

Bluebell Cottage Gardens is a perfect venue for group visits and ideal for combining with other local gardens. Group visits are welcome by prior arrangement on any day except Mondays. We suggest allowing two hours for your visit, either during the morning or afternoon. We offer a group package to include refreshments, garden entry and a guided tour of the gardens.

Admission Prices

Adults £3.50, RHS members free, children free. We are participants in the BBC GW magazine '2-for-1' offer on production of a valid card.

Location

The gardens are located in Dutton, Cheshire, just a few minutes from Junctions 10 or 11 on the M56. Please see our Location page for full travel directions.

Parking and access

There is plenty of free parking available for visitors. Disabled visitors are welcome to park at the top of the track, next to the tea room. Coach parking is available by prior arrangement. Don't be put off by the canal bridge - just take it slow but please don't beep!

Disabled access

We welcome visitors in wheelchairs and mobility scooters to the gardens and nursery. The nursery and garden are on gentle slopes with no steps, however two small areas of the garden are inaccessible to wheelchairs as the paths are narrow. We make no entry charge to the gardens for wheelchair users because of this reduced access. The disabled parking space is right next to the nursery entrance, with room to get a chair or scooter out of the car. We don't have wheelchairs or mobility scooters for hire.

Dogs

Guide dogs are welcome throughout the nursery and gardens. All dogs are welcome on leads in the meadow and bluebell woods, and small dogs which can be carried at all times are permitted in the nursery and gardens. Dogs which cannot be carried can be tied up just outside the tea room - we have a post and water bowl available.