A GARDEN full of hidden surprises is opening to the public.
Peover Hall first opened its gardens for the National Garden Scheme in 1927 and will do so again on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, from 2pm to 5pm.
Peover Hall on the Tatton Estate was the home of the late Randle and Juliet Brooks, now home to Henry Brooks and his family.
The formal gardens were designed between 1890 and 1900 and feature a series of 'garden rooms' filled with clipped box, water garden, Romanesque loggia, rhododendrons warm brick walls, unusual doors, secret passageways, beautiful topiary work and walled gardens.
The grounds of the hall also house working stables, estate cottages and the parish church of St Lawrence which contains two Mainwaring Chapels with beautiful effigies.
The architectural jewel is the Grade I listed Carolean stables built in 1654.
Their interior stalls are richly carved and include original Tuscan columns and strap work.
The tearooms serving refreshments, homemade cakes and cream teas. There will also be a plant stall offering many of the plants grown in the gardens.
During the weekend it will be possible to add a visit inside the hall, a Grade 2* listed Elizabethan family house dating from 1585.
Various times will be available, including special tours with Mr Brooks himself.
Numbers will be restricted, and bookings will need to be made separately at peoverhall.co.uk
Gardens across the country are opening to raise funds for many charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Hospice UK and the Queen’s Nursing Institute.
Over the years £60 million has been donated to these charities through NGS garden openings.
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