Cheshire garden lands prestigious award

10:17 27th September 2011

People thinking of investing in greenhouses might be interested to learn that Arley Hall and Gardens in Cheshire has won the special prize of the foundation Schloss Dyck at the European Garden Heritage Awards.

Lord and Lady Ashbrook, the garden's current owners, told the Knutsford Guardian that they were very excited to receive the accolade earlier this month in Germany.

"I think what made Arley stand out to the judges was the commitment of the family to the gardens through so many generations and the standard of maintenance," Lord Ashbrook added.

Judge Roswitha Arnold also said that the garden was rich in atmosphere, interest and vitality and provided a great example of the idea that the best gardens are living works of art.

Lord Ashbrook's family has owned the Arley estate for 500 years and he said that it was very much a community country house garden.

The Schloss Dyck is the Centre for Garden Art and Landscape Design.