Colours of Spring

April 23, 2023April 19, 2023 / mikeosbornphoto / Leave a comment

It’s safe to say that winter is over, even here in the north of England.

Spring has burst out with tree blossoms, seasonal flowers and green shoots.

I paid a Spring visit to RHS Bridgewater, a public garden on the outskirts of Salford. The sun was shining and the tulip beds were a riot of colour. Dandelions had taken over the meadows.

What’s not to like?!

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Pink blossoms at Castlefield in Manchester.

In my Manchester neighbourhood of Castlefield, there is one tree which gives a sumptuous show of pink blossoms every year – and 2023 is no exception

White tree blossom catching the sunlight at Angel Meadow in Manchester.

The trees are putting on a show around Manchester city centre, including this one at Angel Meadow catching the full force of some Spring sunshine

A magnificent northern garden

July 10, 2022July 10, 2022 / mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

A warm summer’s day is the perfect time to visit the RHS Bridgewater Garden in Salford, just a 30-minute bus ride from central Manchester. CONTINUES BELOW

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The garden, which opened last year, is on the site of stately pile Worsley New Hall.

Some of the old architecture remains, while there’s a sleek new building which houses visitor amenities.

Bridgewater’s focal point is a large walled garden which was bursting with plants and colourful blooms on my visit. It looks like it’s been established for decades, not just a couple of years.

Woodland and meadow trails are also part of the site, full of grasses and wild foxgloves as I wandered around the site.

RHS Bridgewater is already a huge success, with many visitors which I hadn’t expected. It was a challenge to take photographs giving the impression I had the place to myself!

Have you been to Bridgewater or another RHS garden? Share your thoughts below.

A pair of seats in the walled garden at RHS Bridgewater

There are plenty of spots to rest and enjoy the gardens

Manchester oasis

August 8, 2021August 4, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / Leave a comment

Walkden Gardens is a beautiful little place tucked away near Sale, a suburban area of south Manchester.

I visited for the first time on a hot day and was struck by the peace, quiet and cool little corners.

It’s a relatively small plot, criss-crossed with hedges and pathways which make it feel like a maze. I ran into someone who was lost and asked where the entrance was!

The gardens are understated but peppered with delightful blooms, while the dovecote and pergola walk are special features. Enjoy this little tour…

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Spring has sprung

April 11, 2021April 11, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

Spring has arrived with bursts of life everywhere and carpets of new flowers. CONTINUES BELOW

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Here in Manchester city centre, little local havens including Parsonage Gardens are a riot of bright yellow daffodils.

A spell of warm sunshine coincided with a relaxation of Covid lockdown restrictions, so I finally travelled beyond the city limits to Dunham Massey in Cheshire.

Its beautiful grounds boast many varieties of narcissus, the first flush of tulips and Spring shoots.

Then the weather took a cold wintry turn, even with snow flurries. Let’s hope the blooms weren’t too shocked either…