Let me take you on a Journey….

Biddulph Grange, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire and definitely England!

Once upon a time, it was a rural Rectory of modest size. Then James Bateman created this monster of a Victorian Home…. he used the wealth the family had created from Coal and Steel.

Bateman was also a Horticulturalist and traveller. He used his skill and knowledge to create a large and very different garden in the fast estate arround the Grange. First impressions are of a typical English Estate garden….Trees, plantings, some Topiary and of course a Lake…

It is after you leave the Lake that the adventures begin.

Pass through a woodland glade and there you are in China.

Having crossed the bridge, navigated the watery Chinese surrounds, your journey continues and takes you to another continent.. that of India….

As we head back towards home, we take a detour, were you are welcomed by a Sphinx…

We have arrived in Egypt….

There are many other garden interpretations of locations both home and abroad. Exploring all does take some time. So on our travels we will take a short cut to Cheshire and its half timbered buildings…

Then its back to the Grange. It truly is a giant of a building, testament to Victorian Wealth, but one with a garden full of surprises thanks to Batemans love of plants and travel… plus a very large doze of imagination…

Travelling… or just imagining, enjoy your day… and as always…

Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

11th August
(C) David Oakes 2026