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Garden Name: Rode Hall
Last Modified: 20/01/2011
Garden ID: 0244

pic: 0244_RodeHall.jpg

Owner: Sir Richard Baker Wilbraham
Address:
Church Lane
Scholar Green
Stoke on Trent
Postcode: ST7 3QP
County: Cheshire

tel: 01270 882961
fax: 01270 882 962
website: www.rodehall.co.uk
email: enquiries {at} rodehall.co.uk

Features: 
Landscape designed by Humphry Repton in 1790
Formal garden designed by W. Nesfield in 1860
Georgian walled kitchen garden, Ice house and Grotto

English Heritage Grade:
II*

Opening Times:
Open from Saturday 29th January until Sunday 13th March; daily except Mondays; 12 noon to 4.00pm, for Snowdrop Walks
House and Garden: Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Monday April to end September 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Garden only: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Bank Holiday Monday 5 April to 30 September 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
May
July
Feb

To see: 
Rhododendrons, azaleas
Kitchen Garden
Snowdrops

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: Yes 

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: 1st Apr - 30th Sept; Wed & BH only; 2pm - 5pm.

Admission Prices:
Snowdrop Walk - Admission Charge: Adults £4.00; Senior citizens and children over 16: £3.00
House & Garden: Adult £6; Child (over 12) & Over 60s £5
Garden only: Adult £4; Child & Over 60s £3

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: No
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: No
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: No

Other Facilities:
Light lunches available in Feb from 12 noon. First Sat of the month (except Jan) 9.30am - 1.30pm
Disabled Access: Limited
Farmers' Markets 2011 - First Saturday of month (except Jan) 9.30-1.30pm. 


Designer: Humphry Repton, W. A. Nesfield
Description of Garden:
Rode Hall Gardens are set in a landscape designed by Humphry Repton in 1790. In February, the garden is open for snowdrops, hellebores and early varieties of rhododendrons. From early April, the Woodland Garden, which includes a terraced rock garden and a grotto, is full of many varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas, and the bluebells and lily of the valley are in abundance at this time. The old Stewpond is the background to a water garden planted with hostas and primulas. The formal garden designed by W. Nesfield in 1860 has herbaceous borders and roses set in a garden of clipped yews and gravel paths still faithful to the original design. There is a large walled kitchen garden which is at its best from mid-June and is home to many varieties of prize-winning gooseberries. There is an ice house in the park close to the house and a new Italian Garden.


History: 
The Kitchen Garden and Ice House were probably built in the 1750's when the main house was completed. John Webb was commissioned to complete the work recommended by Repton between 1800-1810 and this included the creation of Rode Pool, a mile long stretch of water. Webb also created the terraced Rock Garden at this time. The formal garden was designed by W. Nesfield in 1860 and has changed very little since that time. In recent years much time and effort has been spent developing the Woodland Garden and the Water Garden adjacent to the Stewpond.

Local Inns: 
Bleeding Wolf, Scholar Green
Egerton Arms, Astbury

Accomodation: 
Crewe Hall, 
Manor House, Alsager

Restaurants: 
Pecks, Astbury

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Congleton
Sandbach
The Potteries