RHS Garden Bridgewater and Charcoal Woods

PGG visit to RHS Garden Bridgewater and Charcoal Woods.

RHS Garden Bridgewater

The RHS plan to create a stunning new 62 hectare (154 acre) garden in the heart of the North West has overcome its final obstacle in the planning process – the development at Worsley New Hall in Salford is now under way. 

The creation of RHS Garden Bridgewater will be the largest gardening project in Europe. The Society’s first new garden in 17 years, it will deliver benefits to the local community as it grows into a world-class garden. The first phase includes the restoration of the four hectare (11 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.
 
RHS Garden Bridgewater’s master plan is crucial to its success as the fifth garden in the RHS portfolio. Landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith has worked with Manchester-based award-winning architects Hodder and Partners to create the concepts for the new Welcome Building and the sensitive restoration of the existing buildings. At the top of the page is his detailed drawing of how they envisage the Walled Garden will start to take shape.
 
The northern part of the Walled Garden will become the Paradise Garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith. Fruit and vegetables will be grown in the southern part of the garden, along with a Therapeutic Garden and community teaching allotments. The old greenhouses that once helped to feed the former residents of Worsley New Hall are beyond restoration, but when funding permits they will be replaced.

Charcoal Woods

Newly designed contemporary garden areas surrounds a family town estate near Altrincham. Mature trees lead to a courtyard with sculpted lighting and saucer planted Japanese Maples. Formal hedging screens and frames the rooftop boxwood parterre overlooking mixed borders and contoured lawns. Broad circular steps lead to the restored greenhouse with raised beds and espaliered fruit hiding the putting green and football pitch. The sunken garden lies between the swimming pool complex and tennis court. Sculptures, water features and exterior lighting give the garden a sharp modern theme.

Programme

10.00 Meet at RHS Garden Bridgewater    
10.00 – 10.30 Tea/coffee/biscuits on arrival.
10.30 – 13.00 Tour of grounds led by Marcus Chilton-Jones the Curator
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch off site. No provision has been made for lunch giving the option of bringing a packed lunch which you can eat at the next venue or you can stop on route at a local pub for a bar meal. 
14.30 Charcoal Woods. Tour of garden with John Barber (Head Gardener).
16.00 (ish)  Refreshments before departing for home.

Address details

Bridgewater
Worsley New Hall, Off Leigh Road, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ

Charcoal Woods
Postcode/directions will be given on the day at Bridgewater as the owners are happy for us to go but do not want the garden advertised.

Cost

The cost of this visit is £11.00. Includes refreshments on arrival and departure and donation to gardens.

Booking