Lindeth Lane, Silverdale, LA5 0UA – Wednesday 28th August, 1:45pm
Ridgeway Park or Greywalls, as it was formerly known, is believed to have been designed as a package of house and garden by Mawson c.1925 commissioned by the Sharp family who occupied until 1982. The main house was occupied by a care home and later an independent special school until its closure in 2011. Edward Prentice Mawson was the architect of the main house, but there are no drawings surviving of the walled garden and the origin of its design is not clear. There will be opportunity to see historic photographs at this event.
The garden which we will be visiting is in separate ownership to that of the main house. This walled garden is enclosed with summerhouse- it is a secret and magical place. The garden is on limestone pavement providing a unique setting, and as with other Arts and Crafts gardens is divided into compartments. The garden has been restored over the last 10+ years by Brian Smith the owner of the site and it is with his very kind permission we have access.
Lancashire Gardens Trust members last visit to this garden was during an event to the wider Silverdale area in July 2015. This visit is taking place thanks to the Friends of the Mawson Garden, Silverdale. We have a guided tour lasting about an hour, followed by refreshments and the opportunity to explore further.
Note the principal house, Ridgeway Park/Greywalls and its grounds are in separate private ownership and are not open for exploration, but we will walk up the private drive to approach the walled garden.
This site has been researched as part of the Arnside & Silverdale AONB Historic Designed Landscapes Study and the full 2015 report is openly available here
A printed copy will be available to be seen by visitors on the day.
The event cost is £13.00 for members, and £16.00 for non members. The cost includes the guided tour followed by refreshments including hot and cold drinks, and a selection of savouries and cakes and biscuits. Toilet is available on site. Please make sure you have suitable footwear as this is a private garden and not all the paths are stable or have a hard surface. Many of the steps are in natural limestone and very uneven; visitors are responsible for their own safety. Car parking is not available on site and visitors must make their own arrangements to park in Silverdale Village or in Lindeth Road or Hollins Lane. The walk to the Ridgeway Park Estate entrance gate takes approx. 15 minutes from Hollins Lane, passing Lindeth Tower a three storey romantic summerhouse (1842) used as a retreat by novelist Elizabeth Gaskell in 1850s.
The garden tour commences at 2.00pm, and visitors are to meet up at the Ridgeway Park gate on Lindeth Lane at 1.45pm. There is then a walk up the steep driveway through the private estate. There are some very limited spaces near the driveway entrance but many of us will need to park at a distance, and time needs to be allowed for this.
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Please respond no later than 21st August 2024.
Meet at Ridgeway Park Gate, Lindeth Lane 1.45pm
Email bookings to events@lancsgt.org.uk
Payment preferred by direct payment in advance to Lancashire Gardens Trust.
Co-op Bank Account No. 65261512
Bank Sort Code 08-92-99 By 21st August 2024
Please add your name and Mawsons in the reference and advise Stephen Robson of your payment and number of places required. Please book early as places are limited.