The first stage of an exciting garden restoration project at one of Britain’s greatest industrial heritage sites - Quarry Bank Mill and Styal estate in Cheshire, has been revealed to visitors for the first time.

© NTPL / Alan Novelli

18th-century Quarry Bank Garden was created by the mill’s founder, Samuel Greg, who also built himself a family home on the site. Both the house and its eight acre garden were acquired by the National Trust in November 2006. The acquisition allows the Quarry Bank Mill estate to be returned to near Samuel Greg’s original vision; and is a rare example of a complete 18th-century mill complex.

Quarry Bank House and garden were built within the confines of Quarry Bank Mill at a time when mill owners were proud to live adjacent to their source of wealth. It was set in the sandstone valley of the River Bollin, which provided power for the Mill and the humidity to help the cotton spinning process.

History of the Garden

Construction of the garden began in the 1790s, in the then fashionable picturesque style, creating a valley garden of meandering paths, terraces and riverside walks with beautiful vistas. Among many interesting features is a Grotto, put to a variety of uses according to local lore over the centuries, from a dwelling for a homeless family to a blacksmith’s and a place of worship.

Volunteers and garden restoration

© NTPL / Alan Novelli

When restoration work began in April 2007, the National Trust enlisted the help of volunteers from the local community, including corporate companies, and Styal prison - their involvement has been an integral part of the project.

Head Gardener, Alan Knapper commented:

© NTPL / Alan Novelli

'Family photographs taken around 1900 suggest that the basic structure of the garden has changed little since the 19th century. Much of the planting however, has been altered.

'During the late Victorian period annual bedding brought colour to the parterre garden and the intention is to reinstate some of these formal schemes this summer, providing visitors with a sense of how the garden would have looked in the early 1900s.'

The Future

Quarry Bank garden is an exciting work in progress and it will take around five years to complete the project. We hope visitors will come back regularly to see the changes, appreciate the work of careful garden restoration, and even get involved if they want to.

The National Trust gratefully acknowledges assistance from Cheshire Rural Recovery Fund and a private benefactor in the acquisition of Quarry Bank Mill.

The project is also supported by a grant from the Heritage Tourism Improvement Scheme, funded by the North West Regional Development Agency.

Access:

The garden is set in a valley and therefore has inclines which may be challenging to some visitors. Lower areas of the garden are accessible by wheelchair and mobility scooter.

Interested in volunteering in the garden?

E-mail jayne.gudgeon@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01625 527468

For information about Cheshire Year of Gardens visit the year of gardens website