News

Garden gets Gold!

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Garden in Ardwick has won a prestigious GOLD award in this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom competition within the Small Visitor Attraction category.

The restored garden at the home of the radical Victorian writer Elizabeth Gaskell, just one mile from Manchester City Centre (part of the Oxford Road Corridor), is maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers. This year the award is especially pertinent as the House is also celebrating its 10-year anniversary of opening to the public.

The garden is planted to show the sort of garden that the Gaskell family enjoyed with the choice of plants being informed by references in Elizabeth’s letters and novels, as well as by Victorian garden history. Visitors are encouraged to explore and learn about the garden via a QR code trail, garden games in the summer and blogs from the gardening team. Photographs of the garden and its wildlife (taken by one of the gardening team) always get a very positive response on the House’s social media channels!

The team have also welcomed some new volunteers this year including several students. The team do a range of tasks from weeding and planting to sweeping leaves and general garden maintenance.

Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd, House Director:

‘Achieving a Gold in the Britain in Bloom award is ongoing testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteer gardening team. Visitors and local residents regularly comment on how beautiful the garden looks. The garden is also a haven for wildlife and insects, often described as a mini-oasis in the bustle of the city. This award is a fantastic way to celebrate the accomplishments of the team, past and present, during our 10th anniversary year”

Staff and Trustees thank all those volunteers who have been involved in creating and developing the garden.