Tirley Garth - Gardens and Associated Structures

Gardens and Associated Structures

The gardens were also designed by Mallows who believed that in order to create a unity of design, they should be designed by the architect to create a whole with the house. Mallows worked from rooms adjacent to those of the landscape architect Thomas Mawson, and it is likely that Mawson influenced Mallows' designs. The degree of Mawson's involvement is uncertain but he did produce planting plans which were published. The park and garden have been registered at Grade II*. The covers an area of about 16 hectares, is the only Grade II* Arts and Crafts garden in Cheshire that remains complete.

To the west of the house is a turning circle and to the south are formal terraced gardens which lead to a sunken garden. Beyond this the land slopes down to a valley containing many rhododendrons. To the east of the house terraces lead to two enclosed lawns and a small octagonal garden containing a fountain. Beyond these is a rose garden consisting of seven semicircular terraces of grass and rose beds. From the north of these a path leads to the Round Acre, a circular area initially intended for the kitchen garden, now planted with flowering cherry trees. The gardens are open to visitors on one or two days each year by arrangement through the National Gardens Scheme.

Structures around the house and in the garden are listed at Grade II. These are the eastern entrance of southern gateway to the house which consists of gatepiers and a stile in bossed red sandstone which were designed about 1910 by Mallows; the south terrace with its complex of walls which were designed about 1912 by Mawson; and the walls and steps of the east terrace and associated formal gardens which were also designed around the same time by Mawson.