Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, Runcorn, England

Norton Priory is a 16 hectare site with 12th-century priory remains, museum and 18th-century walled garden. The St Christopher statue has been described as an 'incredible piece of workmanship' and was probably commissioned in 1391 when Norton Priory was upgraded to Abbey status. 

The original plans for the walled garden were lost in a fire at the Brooke's house, so the walled garden has been recreated as a typical Georgian Walled Garden. It is however quite unusual in that it is trapezoid in shape, with the north facing wall being the longest. It is always warmer in the walled garden by a few degrees, because of the protective wall and the windbreak planted outside to protect the garden.

To help save the unique heritage of garden plants in Great Britain, Norton Priory has been designated ‘National Collection holder' for Cydonia Oblonga (Tree Quince) by the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens. This means that the site has a wide collection of Tree Quince varieties and aims to help horticultural and scientific research and encourage the wider growing of these plants.