Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden |
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The garden in winter
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| Type | Public garden |
| Location | Grappenhall, Warrington, Cheshire, England |
| Created | 1830 |
| Operated by | Grappenhall Parish Council |
| Status | Open all year |
| Website | Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden |
Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden is a special historic garden in Grappenhall, Warrington, England. It was built around 1830 by Thomas Parr. This garden was designed to be a beautiful place for people to relax and enjoy nature, called a "pleasure garden." It also served as a "kitchen garden," where fruits, vegetables, and herbs were grown for food. After some time, the garden became run down, but it has since been carefully restored by local groups and volunteers, making it a wonderful place for everyone to visit today.
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A Look Back at the Garden's History
The Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden was built around 1830. It was created by a man named Thomas Parr, who was a banker from Warrington. The garden was part of a larger estate with a big house. What was special about this garden is that it had two main parts inside the same wall: a pleasure garden and a kitchen garden.
The Parr family loved their garden. They often held big parties and special events there for the local community. One yearly event was called "Beating the Bounds." This was a walk around the edges of nearby towns like Lymm, Appleton, and Grappenhall. The walk even included the garden itself! Records show that the estate was at its best between 1875 and 1899.
By the 1950s, the garden and estate were not looked after well. Parts of the land were sold off. The main house was taken down in the 1970s. The garden then went to a group called English Partnerships for fixing up.
In 2005, the Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council took over the garden. They continued the restoration work with a community group called "The Friends of Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden." In 2012, the garden received an award from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money helped repair the old Victorian glasshouses and finish the restoration.
What You Can See at the Garden
The Pleasure Garden
The pleasure garden is a lovely area designed for enjoyment. It has colorful flower beds called "herbaceous borders." You can also see special trees, small wooded areas, and three ponds. Old maps from 1829 show that these ponds were once "marl pits." Marl is a type of soil that was dug out for farming. Over time, the ponds filled up with mud. During the restoration, workers had to dig them out again. There is a path around the pleasure garden known as the "Master's Walk."
The Kitchen Garden
The kitchen garden is where fruits, vegetables, and herbs are grown. The Warrington Organic Gardening Society helps to look after this area. There is a small orchard with different kinds of pears. More than 20 types of apples are also grown here. Inside the fully repaired glasshouses, you can find grapes and tomatoes growing. Any extra fruits and vegetables are sold to the public.
Visitor Facilities
The garden is a very popular place to visit in Warrington. It has a cafe where you can get a snack and toilets for visitors. Entry to the garden is free. In 2018, the garden received its second Green Flag Award. This award is a national standard that shows how well public parks and green spaces are managed in the United Kingdom. It means the garden is a high-quality place for everyone to enjoy.
