The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced one of the world’s best landscape architects will take forward plans for the RHS Garden Bridgewater.
Tom Stuart-Smith has been appointed to create an overall master plan for the 156-acre garden which will bring back to life the lost historic grounds at Worsley New Hall.
The English landscape architect has designed eight Gold medal-winning gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show, with three awarded Best in Show. He has also designed a number of large private gardens including a new garden at Windsor Castle to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Speaking about the announcement, Tom said: “I have known the amazing site that is to become RHS Garden Bridgewater for some time and it is really remarkable. It is a great honour and a huge challenge to be able to contribute to this very exciting project. There is amazing potential here to make something innovative, relevant and distinctly different.”
Tom’s master plan will set out the vision for RHS Garden Bridgewater, assessing its current condition and outlining his concept for its future.
Horticultural highlights will include the restoration of the 10-acre walled kitchen garden, one of the largest in the UK; developing historic features such as the tree-lined avenue and reinterpreting the famous Nesfield Terraces, which sit between the lake and the site of the lost Worsley New Hall.
The garden will be a result of collaboration between the owners of the historic estate, Peel Land and Property, Salford City Council and the RHS.
Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart said: “Tom really is at the top of his game and it is a measure of how important this garden is, both locally and nationally, that the RHS have chosen him. I’m delighted to have such a prestigious landscape architect to bring this vision to life that generations of Salfordians will be able to work in, learn and enjoy.”
The announcement about RHS Bridgewater was published by SalfordOnline.com in October. The opening is planned for 2019 as part of the RHS wider 10-year £160million investment programme to achieve its Vision to enrich everyone’s life through plants.
The RHS also announced that internationally renowned landscape architect Christopher Bradley-Hole, will develop horticultural plans for their flagship RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey.
RHS Director General, Sue Biggs, says: “I am delighted that these two hugely influential and innovative landscape architects will take forward such significant elements of our RHS Vision. With Tom and Christopher on board I am confident that these two gardens will be among the best and most popular in the UK.”
