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Garden Name: Norton Priory Museum & Gardens
Last Modified: 09/02/2010
Garden ID: 0241

pic: 0241_NortonPriory.jpg

Owner: The Norton Priory Museum Trust
Address:
Tudor Road
Manor Park
Runcorn
Postcode: WA7 1SX
County: Cheshire

tel: 01928-569895
fax: 01928 589 743
website: www.nortonpriory.org
email: info {at} nortonpriory.org

Features: 
Formal gardens, streamglade, pear orchard, 2.5 acre walled garden, museum and priory ruins.
Finalist for Gulbenkian Prize (£100k) for Museum of the Year 2004

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
All year; 7 days a week except 24th - 26th Dec & 1st Jan; 
Norton Priory Walled Garden will re-open 27th Mar - 31st Oct 12noon - 4pm
Museum: 1st Apr - 31st Oct; daily; 10am - 5pm, and 1st Nov - 31st Mar 2011; daily; 12noon - 4pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Apr - Oct..

To see: 
Walled Garden 1.30pm - 4.30pm.

National Collection: 
Cydonia Oblonga (tree quince).

National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: no
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adults £5.50; Child/Over 60s £3.95; Family (2A + 3C under 16) £13.50
Season: Adults £17.50; Child/Over 60s £10.50; Family (2A + 3C) £40; Group £50

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Family events all year round. Plant sale - 28th Mar


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
The gardens contain the 800 year old priory range, excavated priory remains, and a purpose-built museum. The St.Christopher statue - one of the great treasures of mediaeval Europe which is over 600 years old is displayed in a special gallery. There is a sculpture trail and an award-winning Walled Garden with its National Collection of tree quinces, herbs, roses, vegetables and fruit (available by season and by prior request). All this is set in 38 acres of tranquil, beautiful woodland gardens. Norton Priory also has a coffee shop, retail area and temporary exhibitions gallery. There are events throughout the year with something for everyone from mediaeval festivals to make-your-own-scarecrow days.


History: 
The Augustinian priory was founded in the 13th century and survived for 400 years. It was acquired by the Brooke family in the early 17th century. The Brooke family built the Walled Garden between 1757 and 1770 as a kitchen garden for fresh produce for the mansion.

Local Inns: 


Accomodation: 
Daresbury Park Hotel

Restaurants: 
Ring O' Bells, Daresbury

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Daresbury village, birthplace of Lewis Carroll - 4 miles.