Located between Marple and Romiley in Stockport, Etherow Country Park is one of Greater Manchester's most picturesque spots. Boasting more than 200 acres of green space, and made up of woodland, lakes, marshland, Etherow became one of England's first country parks in the 1960s. Lying in the Etherow-Goyt Valley, it also features a diverse range of habitats, home to a huge variety of wildlife. It started out as part of the estate of George Andrew, who built Compstall Mill in the 1820s, along with the nearby houses to support the mill’s workforce, creating the village of Compstall. The lake also served as a reservoir to power the water wheel for the mill. READ MORE: The beauty spot near Greater Manchester named top place for an Easter Road trip in the
UK Today, it remains a popular destination for walkers, anglers, and sailors, and those who want a slice of the countryside - but only a short train or car ride from the city centre. Among it's most spectacular features is the impressive waterfall and the Keg Pool, originally built as a fishing lake. One of the outdoor terrace spaces at The Potting Shed within the country park (Image: The Potting Shed) As well as the waterfall, keg pool and woodlands, which are ready to be explored, many like to stop off at the park's café for a brew and bite to eat. But venture a little further up the path and you'll also find a hidden gem lying in plain sight. Just beyond the main car park, and sitting just in front of a row of houses, lies The Potting Shed, a garden centre and café on the edge of the park. Looking out onto to the lake and fish pond but tucked away off the main path, a bright yellow railing signals you've arrived. The small but well stocked garden centre features a range of shrubs, flowering perennials, herbs, edibles and bedding plants. And, while the seasons are in transition, the plant stock is constantly evolving, so if you drop by, expect to see many plants coming into bloom. If you want something special, the garden centre also offers made-to-order hanging baskets for summer as well as a range of
Christmas trees comes winter. The small but well stocked garden centre features a range of shrubs, flowering perennials, herbs, edibles and bedding plants (Image: The Potting Shed) Past the rows of plants and alongside some outdoor seating you'll find a large shed, which serves as both the kitchen and a separate covered seating space for when the April showers arrive. Inside there's comfy seating and tables as well as a pre-loved book library where you can read while you sip on a brew or even buy one to take home. In the kitchen and main shop area you'll find Tom, who runs the garden centre and café alongside his wife and a small team. He took on the garden centre a couple of years ago, and as part of the lease agreement with the council it has to remain as such, but he's also spent a lot of time developing the food side. He believes the garden centre has been around for at least 20 years too. As well as using local and seasonal produce utilised to create a range of light meals including paninis, wraps and crepes, Tom and the team make their own ice cream, cakes and drinks. All hand-made, there's no 'funny' powders or E numbers, and, as well as traditional favourites like vanilla, they also experiment with other varieties such as hot cross bun, vanilla bean, fresh raspberry swirl and Skittle rainbow. All the ice cream at The Potting Shed is handmade including the hot cross bun flavour (Image: The Potting Shed) As well as freshly brewed coffee using bean from Peak Bean roasted in the Peak District over in Furness Vale, and brownies made by Bridge Bakes & Cakes, the café also sells Pick and Mix, alongside gardening and interior gifts for adults, and duck food if you want to feed the ducks after a bite to eat. As Tom used to work as a chef for Honest Crust pizza based over at the popular market hall in Altrincham , the team also hold pizza and BBQ weekends, serving up delicious sourdough pizzas - using Honest Crust dough -and guests can dine at the outdoor kitchen or takeaway. Priced from £8, as well as classics like Margarita and Marinara, the team also use ingredients using salami and Portobello mushrooms to deck out their pizzas. While it may only look like a small space when you first head through the yellow gates, head under the plant-covered archway and it opens up to encompass much more. From free cinema screenings and forest school to craft and treasure hunts, a lot of work has been done to make the garden centre a family friendly space. The secret cinema at The Potting Shed garden centre (Image: The Potting Shed) The secret garden cinema is one of the biggest draws for families. Set in their polytunnel filled with hay bales, vines and twinkling lights, it's a magical space come nightfall. Here, they show family friendly films every weekend, while during the school holidays, there's showings every day. It's free and there's no need to book either. As you peruse the plants which are now coming into bloom, kids may also spot the chance to paint a pot - a staple of any good garden centre experience. There's a range of items to paint, including butterfly houses, bee hotels and garden gnomes. The Potting Shed offers a family kids craft deal where children can decorate a garden item and also get a drink and ice cream for £8.50. On top of this, Forest Wild run a forest school every Friday during term time for kids between 18 months and 4 years, and there's also a free gnome treasure hunt available to do at any time - you just need to gran a trail sheet and find all six gnomes. This summer, The Potting Shed will be popping up with their new ice cream caravan (Image: The Potting Shed) Given the scope of the space, it makes sense that the garden centre can also be hired out for community events, and adult or kids parties. Areas like the secret cinema can be booked out, as can the pond-side terrace where the pizzas are usually served from, while the indoor café area can also be used for craft groups and gatherings. And as the weather begins to perk up, The Potting Shed will be popping up with their new ice cream (Cara)van. 'Daisy', an old school caravan has been converted into a mini ice-cream concession complete with its own hatch, serving up the cafe's signature homemade ice creams. It'll be getting its first outing in the coming weeks and will be popping up at events this summer.