FANCY spending the day with Sting’s former gardener?

Arley Hall is offering those with green fingers the chance to see what it takes to maintain the grounds, including 12 acres of formal gardens, at the stately home near Lymm and Northwich.

Working with head gardener Gordon Baillie on a one-to-one basis, you can join in with seasonal tasks, such as propagating, pruning, dead heading, staking and cultivating. You will also get to work on Arley’s historic herbaceous border and experiment with the many unusual varieties of vegetables and bedding plants grown for the gardens at the estate.

But the experience does not come cheap at £100 per day or £150 for a couple, including lunch. You can alternatively do a half day for £60 or £90 for a couple (with no lunch provided).

A spokesman for Arley Hall said: “This is a rare opportunity to spend the day behind the scenes at one of the UK’s most prestigious and historic gardens with Arley’s head gardener and his team.

“Gordon is a graduate in horticulture from Strathclyde University and has worked on several estates over the past 20 years from Lord Shawcross’s estate near Eastbourne, Lord Sackville at Knole Park and Sting’s secluded estate in Wiltshire.”

To book ring 01565 777 353 ext 20.