Year Round
The Four Seasons - Ness Gardens, Tel: 0151 353 0123, www.nessgardens.org.uk
Using the natural features of the garden to explore music inspired by the 15,000 plants gathered from around the world.
March - August
Garden Planet - Jodrell Bank, Tel: 01477 571339, www.manchester.ac.uk/jodrellbank/viscen
Programme of events based on the concept of the 'Garden Planet'. The focal point of the programme will be World Environment Day on June 5, but the programme itself will provide visitor appeal from early spring through to late summer, as well as complementing other initiatives we have planned for the summer.
May - September
Tatton Park Biennial - Tatton Park, Tel: 08705 134314, www.tattonpark.org.uk
Inaugural exhibition with an outstanding array of specially commissioned artworks from emerging and established artists will be complemented by a significant programme of linked events, talks, symposia, workshops, education and outreach projects, artists' performances and tours.
June
Garden Planet - Jodrell Bank, Tel: 01477 571339, www.manchester.ac.uk/jodrellbank/viscen
Programme of events based on the concept of the 'Garden Planet'. The focal point will be World Environment Day on June 5.
The Four Seasons - Ness Gardens Tel: 0151 353 0123, www.nessgardens.org.uk
Music inspired by the 15,000 plants gathered from around the world.
5th: World Environment Day - Butterfly Garden, Chester Zoo, Tel: 01244 380280, www.chesterzoo.org
To celebrate World Environment Day on Thursday 5th June 2008, Chester Zoo will use butterflies as a focus, tying in with the impact of environmental changes on biodiversity.
It will also mark the official opening of their new and exciting Butterfly Garden. The Butterfly Garden ties in well with the overall gardens theme but will also include education signage on native species and why it is important to look after the environment.
7th - 15th: Orchid Festival - Tatton Park, Tel: 01625 534400, www.tattonpark.org.uk
Displays organised by the Cheshire arm of the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies (NAFAS). Plants are also exhibited by the Cheshire & North Wales Orchid Society (CANWOS) and Laneside Alpine & Hardy Nursery. The experts are on hand throughout the Festival to answer questions on how to care for these plants in your own homes.
21st: Mid Summer Cycle - Chester Zoo, Tel: 01244 380280, www.chesterzoo.org
A once a year chance to get on your bike and pedal your way around Chester Zoo's 110 acres of beautiful grounds, to explore and discover the Zoo as you've never seen it before, a chance to admire themed gardens, public art and relax in the quiet surroundings of the zoo after hours.
28th: Arley Garden Festival 2008 - Arley Hall and Gardens, Tel: 01565 777353, www.arleyhallandgardens.com
The Arley Garden Festival is one of the highlights of the horticultural year in the Northwest. In 2008 it is proposed to introduce two new elements to the festival: - Cooking and Show Gardens.
28th - 29th: Legends Tennis - Adlington Hall, Tel: 01625 829206, www.adlingtonhall.com
Adlington Hall host the Boodles 2008 Nations Cup - the perfect setting for a quintissentially English garden party accompanied by competitive grass court tennis from some of the world's great champions.
July
4th: Twilight Summer Safari - Chester Zoo, 01244 380280, www.chesterzoo.org
Take an out-of-hours trip around this tremendous zoo.
19th: Garden Party Concert - Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Tel: 01829 720383
Annual "last night of proms" style outdoor concert with fireworks. The audience sit beneath the castle on lawns down to the stage, with the Meres and Park as the backdrop.
23rd - 27th (23rd RHS Members only): RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park
Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400, www.tattonpark.org.uk
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year's RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park offers a truly unique day out for all garden lovers.
July - August
Gawsworth Hall Outdoor Theatre - Gawsworth Hall, Tel: 01260 223456, www.gawsworthhall.com
An all new concert in addition to the existing theatre season at Gawsworth Hall.
October
Pumpkin Olympics - Arley Hall, Tel: 01565 777353, www.arleyhallandgardens.com
A horticultural show featuring such activities as the best, biggest, ugliest pumpkin. New activities are planned for 2008. In addition to the Olympics there are traders selling local produce made or inspired by Pumpkins.
Pumpkin Festival - Chester Zoo, Tel: 01244 380280, www.chesterzoo.org
A horticultural show featuring such activities as the best, biggest, ugliest pumpkin. New activities are planned for 2008. In additional to the Olympics there are traders selling local produce made or inspired by Pumpkins.
Quince Festival - Norton Priory, Tel: 01928 569895, www.nortonpriory.org
Norton Priory is the proud guardian of the National Tree Quince Collection, and this will give visitors the chance to find out more about one of the most traditional of English fruits, what they look like and what to do with them! There will also be music, tours, storytelling and family activities.
December
21st: Something Wishful - Grosvenor Park A large celebratory event bringing Cheshire's Year of Gardens 08 to a close, with lantern parades, music, street arts, dance and fireworks.
