A most spectacular year long festival, never seen before in Cheshire kicks off in January 2008 - ‘Cheshire's Year of Gardens 08'.

Cheshire has more gardens open to the public, per head of population, than anywhere else in the UK. Is it any wonder why Cheshire is holding a 12 month dazzling celebration of the rich heritage of gardens and green environment the country proudly holds?

Featuring traditional and new events, from the magnificent RHS Flower show at Tatton Park and the wonderful Garden Festival at Arley Hall and Gardens, to safari's and celebrity cricket, jazz to opera and even a Pumpkin "Games event".

Quality is guaranteed with the launch of the ‘Gardens of Distinction' programme, designed to cherish, enhance and bring a wider audience to enjoy the country's 21 gardens and leave a deep and lasting horticultural legacy within Cheshire.

The year long buzz of Cheshire gardens has a crisp start at Chester Zoo's Frost Fair in January 2008, unveiling the lavish flowers beds of Cheshire which will be making surprise appearances in Liverpool, at international gateways and at the RHS Flowers Shows.

The programme line up for the year is bubbling with a mixture of music, art, theatre, sport and food and drink events at major garden locations, including Tatton Park, Lyme Park, Chester Zoological Garden, Arley Hall and Gardens, Jodrell Bank, Ness Gardens, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Capesthorne Hall, Gawsworth Hall and Norton Priory.

Cheshire's Year of Gardens 08 initiative will be directed by a steering group chaired by Felicity Goodey CBE DL, a former BBC journalist and creater of mediacity:uk.

Felicity said: "The gardens offer in the UK is unparallel. Visitors from abroad as well as the rest of the UK are increasingly aware of this very special set of attractions. The Year of Gardens is the beginning of a major initiative to enhance and celebrate Cheshire and all its garden related activity as an international destination."

Cheshire can boast some of the finest examples in the world, many are of international importance; others are modest or even tiny expressions of someone's urge to create a beautiful corner of the landscape. Whether part of an historic estate or simply colourful attractions in their own right, these stupendous bouquets are estimated to attract an additional 300,000 visits for the 08 celebrations.