Community at the heart of Bridgewater

Our fifth RHS Garden is a unique space designed to connect with its nearby community, where people can discover gardening and feel the power of plants and nature

RHS Garden Bridgewater, built on the historic site of Worsley New Hall, will be a special green place on people's doorsteps when we open in 2021. Local people are the driving force behind everything we do at Bridgewater and they've already played a vital part of building the garden since work began in 2017.

We're creating more than 140 jobs in Salford and another 180 by 2029, developing people's skills with training, apprenticeships and volunteering. Our partnerships with local hospitals, GPs and universities are building the strong foundations needed to support people's health and wellbeing. Our community gardening projects are reaching out into neighbourhoods nearby, sharing knowledge and making a difference in streets and community spaces. 

From the start the Bridgewater team has been committed to its people. As Curator Marcus Chilton-Jones said:
“We’ve got areas all around the Inner Walled Garden which are all about Community Engagement, about getting people hands on and involved with gardening. We want to improve as many people’s lives as possible through the power of horticulture and the power of gardening.”
 
The Bridgewater team working in Little Hulton

Greening local streets

Our community outreach team worked with 20 schools and community groups in Salford during 2018 and 2019, before the uncertain events surrounding Coronavirus had an impact. They’ve helped people develop their community gardening projects in the ways they’ve needed – boosting their gardening skills and helping them enjoy the positive benefits green urban spaces can bring. And there are plans to reach more people in the future.

“We’ve been guided by the groups themselves, giving them gardening advice and support where they’ve needed it, to green up important places in Salford.”

Claire Drury, Regional Development Manager
A volunteer stands outside the Weston Walled Garden

Volunteers have been vital

Since the start of this exciting project, garden volunteers have given us their time to clear parts of the woodland and as the garden has grown, they've spent days braving rainy weather to dig over borders and beds, getting them ready for plants to go in. Local groups from the National Citizenship Service, Princes Trust and young people who have spent time in care, have joined so many other fantastic people, leaving their important mark on the walls and soil at Bridgewater.

“It’s been fantastic seeing volunteers working side by side and getting to know each other. By the end of the day they’re chatting away, having worked towards a common goal and a big achievement.”

Lissa Davenport, Volunteer Co-ordinator

Exciting community zones

Parts of the Weston Walled Garden will be a community gardening hub when we open in 2021. Built in the 1840’s, the fully restored walled heart of Bridgewater will be a new home to three key community areas that volunteers, community groups and students will enjoy and can make their own. 

Community Grow |A garden for meeting others

The hexagonal planting beds, to reflect the Manchester worker bee, will sit alongside a circular meeting place with a canopy of seven mulberry trees. Community groups will build their own place to talk, share ideas and grow alongside each other. 

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Peel Learning Garden |A garden for teaching

This garden, designed by Stella Yang and Karsan Karavadra, will teach the next generation of gardeners all about the way plants work and the important impact they have on our everyday lives. Students will put all they've learnt into practice in this outdoor space, getting hands-on with horticulture, to develop their knowledge and skills. 

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Community Wellbeing |A garden to calm you

Community groups will meet here and take part in activities like yoga and tai chi, enhancing their wellbeing in a fabulous natural setting. Our Therapeutic Gardener, Ozichi Brewster, will work with people in this fully accessible garden, exploring the healing power of plants and gardening on the body and mind.
 

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“People's passion and dedication runs through RHS Garden Bridgewater and the garden is an important historical landmark in Salford. We hope that people across the North West will be inspired to visit this tremendous place that sits at the heart of the community.”

Richard Green, Head of Site

RHS Garden Bridgewater

Enjoy every exciting step as we bring this new garden to life 

RHS Garden Bridgewater

Garden for your wellbeing

Ideas to boost your health

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.