Greater Manchester marvel named as one of the UK’s best gardens

A garden for all seasons, an ancient deer park and a house filled with treasures and stories, Dunham Massey is a beautiful place to spend a lazy afternoon wandering around and taking in the sights.

Whether is be the beautiful snowdrops blooming, or the wandering deer, it’s a sight to behold in all seasons and well worth a visit.

And it’s not just us who think so, either.

Dunham Massey

The Guardian has named Dunham Massey one of the best gardens in the UK.

Looking for some other great walks in Manchester? We’ve got you covered.

What does The Guardian say about Dunham Massey?

The Guardian says: “One of the UK’s biggest winter gardens is already brightening the darkest months at Dunham Massey, not far from Manchester.

“They are joined from about March by starry blue scilla and Glory-of-the-snow. Dunham Massey’s gardeners planted more than 40,000 extra spring bulbs last year.

“New daffodil varieties include bold early-flowering January Silvers and striking, vivid-yellow Jetfires.

“Light pours into the 18th-century orangery and fallow deer, wandering through medieval parkland, start to shed their antlers.”

Not just the gardens

It’s not all outdoors at Dunham Massey. There is also a beautiful 17th-century house, home to an extensive collection that spans throughout its history.  This includes the iconic pet portraits gallery where you can see the previous occupants’ pictures of their beloved pets.

There is also a remarkable 18th century clost library which remains one of the most popular rooms in the Dunham Massey House.

This beautiful room and accompanying bookstore is full of carefully conserved historic books. It is also the location of a large wood carving of the Crucifixion, prominently displayed over the fireplace. The artist, Grinling Gibbons (1648 – 1721), is recognised as one of the UK’s most celebrated woodcarvers.

There’s also the Dunham Mill, where you can discover 400 years of function during a tour.