You need be neither green-fingered nor an avid horticulturalist to appreciate the informative and relaxing all-year-round garden extravaganza that is RHS Garden Bridgewater.
It’s the fifth and northernmost showpiece of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the UK’s largest garden charity. It is situated just off the M60 motorway in Worsley and you can at times hear the traffic roll past, even though this 154-acre RHS garden lies snugly within the grounds of the former New Worsley Hall and boasts two lakes plus 13 meticulously designed garden spaces for you to explore. And there are more to come!
It was in 2017 that the RHS embarked on an ambitious plan to create a world-class garden for the North West. Attracting visitors from far and wide since its Covid-delayed opening in May 2021, RHS Garden Bridgewater has already made its mark. Situated 9 miles from Manchester city centre and 20 miles from Manchester Airport, RHS Bridgewater runs alongside the eponymous Bridgewater Canal and has enhanced its Salford community in terms of employment, civic pride and as a regional treasure. So, naturally, Salford residents have free entry on Tuesdays!
RHS Bridgewater is not merely concerned with exhibiting beautiful blooms and plants but also mindful of the mental and physical benefits people can derive from the exposure to nature. RHS Bridgewater hopes that for people previously unfamiliar with garden culture, their initial visit here will awaken an enduring interest in horticulture, and equally, for those already in the know, that touching base with the plant world in this RHS garden will consolidate and reaffirm their delight in gardens too. It’s a definite win-win.
So, as the outside world pursues life at its breakneck pace you can simply chill out here and enjoy. It’s that easy. RHS Bridgewater’s measured and leisurely ambience encourages you to meander at your own pace, join a conducted garden tour or even book a gardening or arts workshop. And if you’re feeling less energetic, just plump for a spell indoors in the copious Welcome Building in front of the free car park.
Enjoy the RHS’s quality retail therapy, savour the excellent produce of the inhouse restaurants, pick up plants for home from the garden centre and, when ready, venture back outside to saunter round this soothing, ambling site. You may rest assured that with over 40 full-time gardeners, 180 staff and 200 volunteers in tow, there’s always someone to offer any assistance you may require within the Welcome Building and RHS Bridgewater’s grounds. And, as you walk around absorbing the goodies on view, please note that to boost biodiversity here in this mainly industrial and residential area, the RHS has already planted over 250,000 species.
RHS representative Clare Sydney states: “So far, we have cultivated over 130 acres. We aim to be as inclusive as possible and to appeal to every age group and every sector in society. We had ample space and planning control from the outset and so try to be aware of what can work best for the largest group possible. For example, garden designer Ben Brace collaborated with community groups for the one-acre Community Wellbeing Garden and consequently we decided to keep our planters at wheelchair height.
“And to avoid people getting lost and to spare parents, carers, families and teachers the frustration and heartache of searching for any missing charges, this garden was designed with circular pathways that are, wherever possible, on the flat. But the Peel Learning Garden was planned differently to fit in with national curriculum requirements, whilst also connecting plants with our local industrial heritage.”
Visitors are plentiful. From 2023 to 2024, the RHS Bridgewater’s community outreach projects have engaged with over 4,900 locals, of which nearly 2,000 were young people. And more than 7,300 youngsters from 155 schools within Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs paid educational visits to this wondrous Worsley site. Alongside umpteen official RHS events, many musical and communal events such as the festive Glow Light Show take place at RHS Bridgewater. RHS memberships range from individual, family and student affiliations to corporate, senior and life-time involvements valid for every RHS garden in the UK. Exhibits change in appearance throughout the year, so return trips are highly recommended – and RHS memberships are a great idea too!
Do come back seasonally to check out the Chinese Streamside Garden, the Paradise Garden, the Middle Wood, Kitchen Garden, Orchard Garden and Blue Peter Garden, amongst others. In this way you are supporting both a sustainable charity and a greener view of life, plus you are witness to the RHS’s astounding blend of local history with world-class horticulture.
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Road, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ
0161 503 6100
Open daily 10am-6pm, except Christmas Day
Bridgewater Garden Centre & Cafe open daily 9am-6pm, except Christmas Day
Photos by: Josh Kemp-Smith and Lee Charlton
By Fay Wertheimer
