ARLEY has been voted the number one garden in the north west.

Readers of the UK’s leading weekly gardening magazine have cast their vote for Arley as their favourite garden to visit in the region.

Throughout the summer Garden News readers took part in a poll to find the Best 100 Gardens across the UK, with Arley Hall scooping more votes than any other in the north west.

Garden News editor Simon Caney said: “It’s the first time that gardens throughout the UK have been rated in this way and thousands of people voted.

“We know that our readers love visiting gardens to get inspiration and Arley Hall was a clear winner in the north west.”

Head gardener at Arley, Gordon Baillie said: “We’re obviously delighted to hear the readers of Garden News love the gardens at Arley as much as we do.

“We put in hours of hard work to make sure they look the best they possibly can all year round, but our role is also to preserve these historic gardens for future generations.”

Each year thousands of people visit the award-winning gardens on the estate owned by Lord Ashbrook.

A team of five gardeners, along with numerous volunteers, maintain the borders, which have drawn praise from the likes of Chelsea gold-medal winner Chris Beardshaw and Gardeners’ World presenter Carol Klein.

The first record of a garden at Arley was around 250 years ago and the double herbaceous border is believed to be the first of its kind planted in England.

Earlier this year the gardens inspired a gold-medal winning display at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

“For those of us who are lucky enough to work here it is a beautiful place to be and we are happy that we get to share it with visitors as well,” said Gordon.

Chris Beardshaw said: “Arley is one of the best examples of a garden that’s been designed and maintained by the same family anywhere in Britain.

“The jewel in their crown are the herbaceous borders, which are not only the earliest but also one of the finest examples of this horticultural art you are likely to see anywhere in the world.”