A drive to increase visitor numbers for Staffordshire’s garden attractions has been launched.
Enjoy Staffordshire has created the new Staffordshire Garden Trail, featuring 20 of the county’s most beautiful gardens, and a Staffordshire garden short break package to help celebrate two major national campaigns, the Year of the English Garden, and the 300th anniversary of the birth of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
With prices starting from £75, the Staffordshire Gardens short break package includes an overnight stay with breakfast for two adults in one of 11 hotels and guesthouses, plus admission to two of the county’s top garden attractions.
[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Staffordshire County Council, and Vice Chair of Enjoy Staffordshire, said: “Staffordshire is home to some truly beautiful countryside and this latest campaign highlights some of our very best gardens and scenery.
“From longer nature walks to trips to some amazing gardens with a spot of tea and cake in a wonderful setting we have something for everyone.
“With the summer in full swing and flowers in bloom it’s a great time to explore our wonderful county and take advantage of these great offers.” [/box]
The Staffordshire Garden Trail is supported by a leaflet, with a handy map and useful discount vouchers to attractions within close proximity to Stone, including The Trentham Estate near Stoke-on-Trent, and Weston Park, South Staffordshire, which were landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th Century.
The National Trust’s Biddulph Grange Garden, in the Staffordshire Moorlands, is included too, with its exotic plants from all over the world and an eclectic range of sculptures including sphinxes, a sacred cow and even a Great Wall of China!
Fellow National Trust properties including South Staffordshire’s Moseley Old Hall, known for its intricate knot garden and connections with King Charles II, also feature, alongside the Dorothy Clive Garden on the Staffordshire-Shropshire border, with its brand new Royal Botanic Glasshouse.
Thousands of garden trail leaflets have been printed and distributed to tourist information centres, motorway service stations, participating gardens and accommodation providers in the county.
And it’s available as a free download on the Enjoy Staffordshire website.
Meanwhile, Stone’s own Stonefield Park is well worth a visit, boasting attractive flowerbeds, an aviary, bowling green, and tennis courts. Regularly maintained by the Friends of Stonefield Park team for everyone to enjoy, the park has recently been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award, for the best kept green spaces nationwide.
[box type=”info” ]For more information on the trail, or to download the Garden Trail leaflet including 2 for 1 vouchers and other special offers, visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com/great-gardens [/box]
