Cheshire's Growing Film Reputation

THE horticultural heritage of Cheshire is being celebrated throughout 2008, as the county is enjoying its Year of Gardens, with an amazing 29 gardens on display to the public.

“We’re immensely proud of our green credentials in Cheshire, and pride ourselves on having more gardens and garden centres open to the public, per head of population, than anywhere else in the country,” says Emma Welland, Cheshire Film Officer for Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s film, TV and digital content industries.

In recognition of the county’s growing reputation, Vision and Media has awarded it the accolade of being named April’s Location of the Month. The regional screen agency will now be working hard to promote the area’s gardens to the film and TV industry.

“Cheshire has seen its fair share of filming taking place in some of its finest gardens. Who can forget the scenes filmed at Lyme Park when Darcy walked out of the water, white shirt dripping,” explains Emma.

“But there are still so many other hidden delights that remain virgin territory as far as the production industry is concerned. It’s my job as the county’s Film Officer to make more people aware of those gems.

“Many of the gardens and grounds have got to be seen to be believed, and I’m confident that once location managers realise what delights we have on offer throughout Cheshire, then we’ll be seeing an increase in filming activities.”

Emma is particularly keen to promote the wonders of Tatton Park, with its amazing Japanese Garden, rated as the finest example of a Japanese Garden in Europe. Also near the top of her list is the delightful Little Moreton Hall, a perfect setting for a period drama.

“The range and diversity of Cheshire’s gardens is amazing, from the manicured grounds of some of our great houses, to secret and secluded jewels like Hare Hill, Dunge Valley and Mount Pleasant Gardens,” adds Emma.

Cheshire’s Year of the Gardens complements Liverpool’s Capital of Culture festivities, with the RHS Flower show at Tatton Park and the Garden Festival at Arley Hall and Gardens, to Boodles Legends Tennis at Adlington Hall and Blue Bell Festivals, jazz to opera and even a Pumpkin “Games event”.