The lost gardens of the historic 154 acre Worsley New Hall estate has been transformed into the truly magnificent RHS Bridgewater Garden. Steeped in history, the site of RHS Bridgewater Garden has maintained the character of its past whilst successfully blending all the amenities and breathtaking planting that you’d expect from an RHS garden. Our family have become regular visitors of RHS Bridgewater since it opened in May 2021, here’s a look at a sunny spring day at the garden and a little more about the history and planting.
The History
Worsley New Hall was famously visited by Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, survived a fire and two World Wars before being demolished in the 1940s. Back in the day, Worsley New Hall, stood in fashionable, formal landscaped gardens. The gardens were landscaped over a 50-year period by notable Landscape Designer William Andrews Nesfield. Image credit: History of Worsley New Hall
Sadly, during the early 20th century the Worsley New Hall and surrounding the gardens fell into a state of disrepair. The building was weakened by dry rot and following a fire in 1943, this once-grand building was finally demolished by a scrap merchant, who had bought it for just £2,500! By 1949, after a century of heritage, the hall became part of the Salford’s historic past. In subsequent years parts of the grounds have been used as a garden centre, a Scout camp and a rifle range.
The Garden Design
Once the RHS team had made the decision to purchase the land, talented Landscape Architect, Tom Stuart-Smith created the plan for RHS Bridgewater, working alongside award-winning garden designers blending history with world-class horticulture. Marcus Chilton-Jones, Curator of RHS Garden Bridgewater and the team were tasked with delivering a project throughout a very challenging global pandemic. One of the most exciting things about walking around Bridgewater is the variety of gardens within the space, from the walled kitchen garden to the Chinese Stream side Garden, every twist and turn reveals a surprising sensory delight.
Biodiversity at Moon Bridge Water
True to form the RHS team amidst the world-class horticulture have designed a fabulous gift shop, garden centre and cafe. The main cafe has views across the tranquil Moon Bridge Water, a lake that has been planted with more than 3,000 aquatic and marginal specimens, spread over 31 different species of native plant, created with biodiversity in mind. It is hoped that Moon Bridge Water will fulfil Natural England’s Biodiversity Action Plan criteria for ‘Ponds’ and support an exceptional population or number of key pond species including over 30 species of native plants, an community of dragonflies and amphibians, plus 50 aquatic macro-invertebrate species and more. When you sat in the cafe looking over the water, it’s clear to see that the team have succeeded in creating a hotspot for wildlife.
Woodland Play
RHS Bridgewater is a great place to visit with children. Nestled in the heart of Middle Wood, there’s a brilliant Woodland Play area which was designed by Woodland and Estate Garden Manager Tracy Snell and developed by specialists Massey and Harris. There’s something to entertain children of all ages, Woodland Play covers a whopping seven acres. This marvellous space was designed to promote adventure, creativity and a desire to explore nature, and delivers on every front.
Victoria Wildflower Meadow
Set back from the gardens is a 21-acre meadow, which has been reported to be ‘exceptionally species-poor’ in a 2017 botanical survey. Luckily the RHS team are focused on reversing this by planting native scrub for birds, invertebrates and small mammals. Plus, the existing copse of trees, which consists of mature beech, oak, ash and hawthorn, is being retained and several new groups of trees planted to complement it.
Gardening for wellbeing
It’s no secret that being immersed in nature is good for our health and mental wellbeing. Back in 2015, Greater Manchester with help from Salford Primary Care Together and in partnership with the University of Salford, began a social prescribing project with RHS Bridgewater at the centre. People with a range of mental or physical health complaints are being referred by local healthcare professionals to work with Bridgwater’s Therapeutic Gardener. They now also provide free wellbeing sessions for groups of people facing health issues, as well as carers and frontline healthcare workers.
The Paradise Garden
The spring flowers were out in force during our visit, a riot of tulips, blossom and catkins popping up all around. In the centre of the garden is the ‘Paradise Garden’ a walled space boasting a 70 square metre Lily Pond. You’ll notice that gravel has been added as a mulch to the flower beds, this has been done to help replicate the soils of the Mediterranean. These borders feature plants that have adapted to dry climates, including tall bearded iris and many more. There’s an envious Victorian glasshouse full of exotic plants, which is quite frakly the stuff of dreams.
Picnic Spot
If you’re lucky enough to visit RHS Bridgewater on a sunny day, there are lots of spots to throw down your picnic blanket and enjoy the glorious spring weather. There’s a couple of food trucks and of course the Welcome Cafe, The Stables Cafe (for pizza) and Garden Cottage Café. If you’re gluten-free I’d recommend packing your own lunch as we found that options were limited.
You do not need to book to eat at the Welcome Café, Stables Café or Garden Cottage Shepherds Hut, however pre-booking is required to visit the garden.
The Royal Horticultural Society aims to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. I’d say they have more than exceeded this ambition at RHS Bridgewater and they’ve only just begun!
