In 2016, Rivington Heritage Trust collaborated with Groundwork CLM and United Utilities to successfully secure funding from the Heritage Lottery to carry out an extensive £4.2 million restoration project to conserve and revitalise Rivington Terraced Gardens. We didn’t restore them to their original plans as this would have been too costly both to achieve and maintain. We also recognised that visitors had grown to enjoy them in their current magical state. However, we did ensure that we carried out a programme of works that allows their original design and spirit to live on.
Rivington Terraced Gardens contain 11 Grade-II listed structures, including the Pigeon Tower, Seven Arch Bridge and five Summer Houses. Each had a complete facelift and are now able to be opened to visitors on Open Days. The Italian & Japanese Lakes were also drained, de-silted and re-lined to ensure their long-term future. In addition, we carried out a wholescale review and improvement of the sites signage and interpretation as well as undertook a comprehensive programme of path and drainage works to improve access.
However, we couldn’t have done all this without the invaluable help of volunteers and wider engagement groups. Who in turn developed their skills, improved their wellbeing all whilst having the satisfaction of working toward establishing a vibrant resource for local people to enjoy. Now, we continue to work cohesively with Groundwork CLM as our delivery partner, in maintaining the restorations and engaging volunteers and the wider community to enable their enjoyment of this wonderful and nationally important historic landscape.
Our aims for the future
Our number one priority now is to ensure we achieve sustainability in the management and maintenance of the Terraced Gardens following their capital improvement works. This Calendar is an important and consistent contributory factor in achieving this.
We want to maintain all the pathways and structures that have been uncovered and keep access to a high standard so as the Gardens can be enjoyed for generations to come. A vital way in which we do this is by continuing engagement of volunteers and groups. Each hour given is priceless and anyone can get involved. We have volunteers who have described the Gardens as ‘food for the soul’ and we wholeheartedly agree! Therefore, if you want to get involved, please email; rtg@groundwork.org.uk and our Staff Team will be more than happy to assist you.