Arley Garden Festival

[KG magazine]

Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 June 2007

Now in its 13th year, the Arley Garden Festival has become one of the highlights of the horticultural year in the North West.

Framed by the backdrop of the historic Hall, the Floral Marquee with its magnificent award-winning displays of flowers and plants is the showcase of the festival, while outside specialist nurseries offer an enticing array of plants from poppies and peonies to roses and hebes.

"The Arley Garden Festival is a great day out for everyone. For gardening enthusiasts it is a weekend not to be missed with specialist advice and plants on offer. And for those people looking for something do there is music, entertainment and of course the award-winning Arley Gardens. New for 2007 there will a Food Fair offering local and organic produce which should tickle those taste buds." Said Helen Glover, Event Organiser.

An exciting range of horticultural accessories compliment the floral side of the Festival and for the avid gardener there is the popular Bayer Garden Roadshow. Lord Ashbrook personally conducts tours of the Grove, a garden which he himself has created, and head gardener, Patrick Swan, invites visitors to join him on the double herbaceous borders - considered by many to be the finest in the country.

Carl Wilde, celebrity florist, who has appeared on GMTV and This Morning, will giving a demonstration at the Garden Festival. Using the theme of "An English Summer Garden" Carl's demonstration will be a highlight in the Floral Marquee. Carl will be using seasonal flowers and foliage from the Arley Gardens in his magnificent creations. Tickets are £10 each and strictly limited and will be issued on a first come, first served basis.

The historic Hall is brought to life by floral displays created by the Friends of Arley and of course, there is always the opportunity to relax at the Pimms & Champagne bar, enjoy a barbeque, or indulge with an ice-cream to the sound of jazz, before picking up your plants from the Crèche and having a dedicated buggy service take you to your car.

There will be plenty of activities for children, from creative art activities and story-telling to face painting and donkey rides. All in all the Arley Garden Festival is a wonderful way for the family to enjoy a day in the countryside.

Tickets are £9 with savings for concessions and advance bookings. To find our more information or to book tickets call 01565 777353 or visit www.arleyhallandgardens.com