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THE DOROTHY CLIVE GARDEN

Partner Garden
Free access for RHS members at selected times

Willoughbridge
Market Drayton
Shropshire
TF9 4EU

A51, midway between Nantwich & Stone.

12.5 acres

Tel
01630 647237

Visit website

Opening Hours

Daily, Apr–Oct; Fri–Sun, Nov–Mar. See website for times.

Admission

Please see website for admission prices.

RHS members

Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies 1 Aug–31 Mar.

Facilities

  • Accessible facilities
  • Accessible garden
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children’s play area
  • Children's activities
  • Dogs welcome
  • Free carer entry
  • Gift shop
  • Group rates
  • Parking
  • Picnic area
  • Plant sales
  • Refreshments
  • Toilets

Features

  • Glasshouse (open to public)
  • Herbaceous border
  • Sub-tropical garden
  • Winter garden
  • Woodland

About the garden

Owned by
Kathryn Robey

Set amid glorious countryside where the borders of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire intersect, this 12-acre hillside garden is a year-round plantsman's paradise. 

The gardens started as a quarry which acted as a perfect area for Colonel Clive's collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, created under a protective canopy of oaks and forming an exquisite woodland garden. This area is at its best during May but does have colour from January onwards. Over the years an extensive collection of magnolias and Cornus kousa has been added to the quarry. This has been further enhanced by the addition of a waterfall and streamside planting. 

In June the 100m Laburnum arch takes centre stage. Later in the year the herbaceous borders and roses have their moment of glory, followed by beautiful autumn colour throughout the garden from trees and shrubs such as Parrotia persica, Hamamelis and Liquidambar, to name but a few. The Winter Garden has been enhanced in recent years and is maturing at a rapid rate. 

Throughout the year, interest and colour can be found in the Royal Botanic Glasshouse – opened in 2016.

Please note: a mobility scooter is now available for garden visitors - please call the garden to book.

Plants of special interest

  • Agapanthus
  • Alliums
  • Asters
  • Autumn bulbs
  • Begonias
  • Bluebells
  • Camellias
  • Clematis
  • Conifers
  • Cornus (for winter stems or spring bracts)
  • Cut flowers
  • Cyclamen
  • Daffodils
  • Dahlias
  • Delphiniums
  • Ferns
  • Fruit bushes/trees
  • Fuchsias
  • Grasses
  • Hellebores
  • Hemerocallis
  • Herbs
  • Hostas
  • Irises
  • Laburnum
  • Lavender
  • Magnolias
  • Maple
  • Primulas
  • Rhododendrons/azaleas
  • Roses
  • Shade-loving plants
  • Snowdrops
  • Spring bulbs
  • Sweet peas
  • Vegetables
  • Waterlilies
  • Wildflowers
  • Wisteria

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.