RHS Garden Bridgewater

New RHS garden announced

The RHS is unveiling plans to create a stunning new 63 hectare (156 acre) garden in the heart of the North West - by bringing back to life the lost historic grounds at Worsley New Hall in Salford. Horticultural highlights will include the restoration of the four hectare (ten acre) Walled Kitchen Garden, one of the largest in the UK. Plans also include a new schools Learning Centre to grow young people’s horticultural knowledge.

The fifth garden will be named RHS Garden Bridgewater, and is planned to open in 2019 as part of the Society's wider, ten-year £100 million investment programme to achieve its Vision to enrich everyone's lives through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.

A new start in Salford - see a gallery of images from the site

As a result of collaboration between the RHS, Peel Land and Property and Salford City Council, the ambitious landscape and horticultural aspirations for RHS Garden Bridgewater will create a major new destination garden which aims to welcome and inspire one million people a year within a decade.

RHS Garden Bridgewater will join the Society's current portfolio of gardens at Wisley in Surrey; Hyde Hall in Essex; Rosemoor in Devon and Harlow Carr in Yorkshire. RHS Director General, Sue Biggs, said: 'We always thought it would take us a long time to find the ideal site for our Fifth Garden, but with its beautiful landscapes, good public transport links and outstanding location, Worsley New Hall was an opportunity we couldn’t miss.'

Commenting on the plans, broadcaster and RHS Vice President, Alan Titchmarsh MBE, said: 'The development of the RHS’ new fifth Garden will be the biggest hands-on gardening project the charity will have undertaken in its 211-year history. Watching how RHS Garden Bridgewater takes shape and grows is going to be fascinating, especially some of the major restoration projects like the Walled Kitchen Garden. Everyone deserves access to beautiful landscapes and glorious gardens, and for people living in Manchester and Salford, having an RHS Garden on your doorstep is a real horticultural treat.'

Breathing new life

Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart said: 'The RHS plan to bring Worsley New Hall back to life and create a new garden of national and historical significance in Salford is exciting news for the city and the North West. This ambitious project is testimony to the city’s continued transformation. 'As City Mayor I am pleased to embrace another key moment for the city which will secure enormous economic and environmental benefits.'

John Whittaker, Chairman of The Peel Group said: 'We’re very excited about the RHS creating such a beautiful and inspiring destination garden on the fringes of the city. The RHS is perfect to bring this area to life and the Fifth Garden will leave an incredible legacy for the people of Salford.'

Future plans

Alongside the restoration of the Walled Kitchen Garden, other highlights will include the recreation and development of historic features such as the tree-lined Garden Approach, and the recovery of the Lost Terraces, which sit between the lake and the former site of Worsley New Hall.

The RHS will also build a new Learning Centre for schools to grow their horticultural knowledge; a space for communities to come together with plant experts, a Plant Centre and a personal RHS Gardening Advice Service, giving people scientific-based expert knowledge to help them garden at home.

What happens next?

Phase one of the creation of the garden will begin this year and will include site acquisition, planning approvals and site clearance. The RHS will begin making strong links with the local community, involving volunteers and people within the region to help establish an RHS presence, as well as improving the Walled Garden.

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Useful links

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