Monty Don visits 'surreal, dream-like' Biddulph Grange for new BBC2 series

Horticulturist and broadcaster Monty Don has paid a visit to North Staffordshire - where he sampled the delights of Biddulph Grange. The National Trust gardens feature in today's episode of the BBC2 series Monty Don’s British Gardens.

He described the unique visitor attraction as being a "surreal, dream-like mindscape that represented different parts of the world, from different periods of history".

He told viewers: "As I'm travelling around the country, I realise that throughout our history we've found ways of using gardens not only as creative spaces, but also to fulfil our ambitions, and sometimes simply to show off. And in the next garden I'm going to visit, the owner took this to such an extreme that he bankrupted himself.

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"Biddulph Grange in North Staffordshire was built on the site of an old rectory around about 1840 by James Bateman. Now, he was a wealthy industrialist with a lifelong interest in horticulture and plant collecting, and Biddulph Grange was his opportunity to make a truly spectacular garden. But what he made wasn't just spectacular, it was distinctly odd."

After sampling the exotic colourful tiered plant beds before entering the "darker" stumps of uprooted trees turned upside down, Monty tells viewers: "And from now on in, nothing in this garden is what it seems."

He then takes in the Chinese-style temple and Egyptian courtyard as his garden tour draws to a conclusion.

Monty sums up: "This visit has confirmed one thing for me - that it represents a period in British history which was probably unique, when you had brand-new technology, seemingly huge sums of money and, above all, a vaulting belief in the possibilities of using these things. And I don't think it would be possible today.

"And, actually, it didn't end well. Bateman did run out of money and over the years it fell into disarray. But now, thanks to some incredible restoration and some fabulous maintenance, we can all enjoy it in its full Victorian glory."

The episode airs at 7pm tonight on BBC2. You can view it here on BBC iPlayer.

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