Ness Botanic Gardens is a beautiful 64 acre garden situated on the Dee Estuary in South Wirral. Its illustrious history is linked to the wealth, philanthropy and passion for plant-hunting of its creator AK Bulley.
From the start, Bulley shared his garden with his neighbours, and today’s visitors too are free to move around its relaxed and informal layout without restriction - so a visit to Ness feels more like strolling round the extensive grounds of a wealthy friend than a trip to a university botanic garden! The wealth of different areas within the Gardens – deciduous woodlands, wildflower meadows, stunning herbaceous borders, a delightful potager, orchard, rock garden, terraces, water gardens, specimen lawns, pine wood – give Ness genuine year-round interest.
During February the snowdrop collections carpets the Gardens, attracting visitors from far afield to see over 60 varieties. In March it is the turn of the Crocus Lawn to star, early pale yellow narcissi peppering drifts of hundreds of thousands of pale purple crocus. In spring the visitors flock to see the thousands of flowering trees and shrubs at their peak right across the Gardens and particularly in the Water Gardens and Rock Garden.
During high summer the Gardens are simply superb. Then with the onset of autumn, the changing colours of the leaves set the Garden views ablaze.
The Gardens have twice been the venue for BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time annual Summer Garden Party – attracting record audiences of thousands on both occasions and turning what was a niche occasion into a flagship event.
Ness has wheelchair-friendly paths throughout the Gardens (and free loan of wheelchairs and motorised scooters), refreshments and toilets available in the Gardens as well as in the large Visitor Centre, plenty of seating in every area and free plant and tree trails to follow.
Ness Botanic Gardens in South Wirral is not just a gardeners’ garden - it is a garden with very wide appeal which offers an unforgettable day out.
Ness Gardens not only have fantastic gardens and an amazing plant collection but also have regular concerts and events. Further details can be found on www.nessgardens.org.uk
Ness Gardens can offer you a perfect 'outdoor' venue for the Wedding Ceremony, providing an ideal setting for creating those perfect photographic memories to treasure.