Autumn may be upon us but we’ve still got some more weeks (hopefully) of decent weather to enjoy, before it turns cooler. Heading to a park is a great way to make the most of the early autumn sunshine.
With a wildflower area, a formal garden and a rather intriguing stumpery, Denehurst Park in Rochdale is certainly worth visiting. This stunning green space is perfect for a relaxing weekend walk and can help you reconnect with nature without having to travel far.
There’s a fun pirate-themed play area for children which will keep them entertained and allow their imaginations to run wild. Throughout the park are wooden carvings which kids will love to spot as they walk around the park.
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The park has undergone improvements in recent years since Denehurst Cemetery opened in 2015 and a sum of money was agreed to upgrade various aspects of the park. One area which has been developed is the stumpery, a magical Victorian-style garden similar to a rockery, but created with pieces of wood instead.
Stumps, driftwood, logs and even railway sleepers are all arranged to create interesting shapes. The stumpery also serves as a habitat for wildlife, including small mammals, toads and various insects.
Denehurst Park has previously won a green flag award and it’s easy to see why when you take a walk around. There’s a beautifully-designed formal garden with several flower beds and low hedges.
The park is also home to an orchard and a wildflower area, so there’s lots to explore. You can follow several trails through the park, which encompasses six hectares in total.
Overlooking the park is Denehurst House, which was originally donated, along with the surrounding grounds, to Rochdale in 1932 by Samuel Turner, in memory of his father Alderman Robert Turner (the founder of Turner Brothers Asbestos Ltd). The park took its name from Denehurst Farm which previously occupied the site of the house.
Since then the building has been used as officers for a variety of council departments. The building isn’t open to the public but it can still be admired from the outside.
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