Dorothy Clive Garden

The Dorothy Clive Garden was created in 1939 by Colonel Harry Clive. Originally a disused Victorian quarry, today the garden covers 12 acres planted with thousands of spring bulbs, and one the country’s finest collections of azaleas and rhododendrons, all flowering in the springtime. In the summer there are displays of border plants, an alpine scree garden and watergarden.     

The Dorothy Clive Garden has been planned to convey that English gardening tradition of informality and lack of regimentation. The gardens provide a mature setting for all visitors to relax, stroll around and be inspired by the creative blend of plants. 

The gardens are split into two main areas, the Hillside Garden and the Quarry Garden. The Hillside Garden comprises mainly of specimen trees and shrubs. They are planned to be both ornamental and to offer shade and protection for the other plants in the area. The Hillside Garden is home to the azaleas and rhododendrons and also features a waterfall. In addition to the two main gardens there is a smaller area known as The Gravel Garden. In this area the emphasis is on combining plants with a strong shape and others that have contrasting foliage and a less obvious shape. 

The high summer and early autumn repeat flowering bedding schemes and various shrubs provide interest and colour right through to the closed season. This is particularly so in the Alpine Scree Garden where spring bulbs are followed by many choice alpine plants which are interspersed among a range of shrubs and dwarf conifers. 

  

After visitors have worked up an appetite in the gardens they can enjoy homemade baking and light lunches in the tearoom. The tea room lawn is located at the top of a small slope and gives views of the three counties of Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. 

The Dorothy Clive Garden is two miles out of Woore village, mid way between Nantwich and Stone. From the M6, exit at junction 15 and take the A 53 then the A51. 

There is free parking and dogs are admitted provided they are kept on leads. 

Disabled visitors are welcome and wheelchairs are available and should be booked in advance of a visit. 

Baby changing facilities are available and there are high chairs in the tearoom. 

Contact Details: 
Dorothy Clive Garden 
Willoughbridge 
Market Drayton 
Shropshire 
TF9 4EU 
Tel: 01630 647237