Dorothy Clive Garden

The Dorothy Clive Garden was made to be walked slowly. Colonel Harry Clive designed it as a series of gentle, interesting walks for his wife Dorothy, and that thoughtful pace still shapes a visit today. The 12 acres sit at Willoughbridge, close to where Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire meet, and are split into two roughly equal halves, with the tearoom, pavilion and quarry garden entrance in the middle.

The quarry garden is the heart of the place. A former sandstone quarry, sheltered by old oaks, it gives protection to rhododendrons and azaleas, including Exbury and Knap Hill types that Colonel Clive planted early on, and there is a waterfall inside it. Around the rest of the garden look for the laburnum arch, the rose walk, the gravel garden, a daffodil walk, a camellia walk, seasonal borders and an edible woodland. Alpines, conifers, herbs and lavender add to the range.

Gardeners with sloping or awkward ground will find plenty of ideas, since the garden shows how an old quarry can be turned into sheltered planting. The gravel garden is useful for anyone thinking about drier, lower-maintenance beds. With a tearoom halfway round, it suits a relaxed half day, and because the walks were designed to be easy going, it is a kind garden for less confident walkers too, though there are slopes.