On the outskirts of Greater Manchester over the border in Chorley, is a ‘lost garden’, where you’ll discover mysterious ruins, waterfalls and meandering paths. Rivington Terraced Gardens, just five miles from Bolton, was once a well-maintained formal garden, yet for decades it was abandoned and nature was allowed to reclaim it.
Located on a series of terraces on the western side of Winter Hill below Rivington Pike, the gardens cover an area of around 45 acres in size. Take a walk around the gardens and you’ll feel as if you’ve stumbled into an old film set lost to the midsts of time - there’s even a mediaeval-looking tower which Rapunzel wouldn’t look out of place in.
The gardens were created by the soap magnate Lord Leverhulme, the founder of Lever Brothers (now Unilever). With the help of landscape gardener Thomas Mawson, the gardens began to take shape from 1905 to 1925.
READ MORE:
Lord Leverhulme had ambitious plans with the gardens and wanted to create a magical landscape with different areas to explore. He even had a bungalow built at the site to serve as a holiday home - although the original bungalow was burned down by Suffragette Edith Rigby in 1913 and a second one was rebuilt.
However, after Lever's death the gardens were sold with many aspects left unfinished. Following World War Two the gardens were abandoned and the houses on the site were demolished.
Today United Utilities owns the land and the Rivington Heritage Trust conservation and repair project is underway led by volunteers, helping to clear the overgrown areas and maintain the gardens. Visitors are able to visit the gardens for free and see what remains of Leverhulme’s vision.
Throughout the gardens are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. There’s the beautiful Japanese Garden, with a tranquil lake which was once overlooked by lanterns and pagoda-style tea houses.
The smaller Italian Lake was where Lever would go for his morning swim, while the Great Lawn and Tennis Lawn were used for entertaining. As you wander around you’ll come across more interesting features, from a man-made ravine to Lever’s intriguing seven-arched bridge.
One of the most iconic structures in the gardens is the Pigeon Tower, which was built between 1905 and 1909. It was commissioned by Lever as a birthday present to his wife, Elizabeth Ellen.
The tower has four floors which are connected by a narrow winding stone staircase and the top floor served as a small sitting room with a fireplace and chimney. From the top are incredible views of the surrounding countryside.
Rivington Terraced Gardens are free to visit and there is free parking available at Lower House Car Park, located off Sheep House Lane.
For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
READ NEXT:
- The 50 best restaurants in Greater Manchester right now
- Romantic villages to visit near Greater Manchester
- Chorlton favourite pizza restaurant opening new branch in the city centre
- Romantic Manchester restaurants that are perfect for Valentine's Day 2023
- The gorgeous real-life Happy Valley village an hour away from Greater Manchester
