The Japanese Gardens, Rivington

Feeling stronger today when walking up hill and able to run all the down hills so progress being made. A wander around Rivington, through the gardens and up onto the Pike allowed a few snaps to be taken. I've seen this place referred to as the 'Ravine' or the 'Dell' either way its an amazing feat of architectural landscaping which was constructed in 1921 to designs by T H Mawson who was employed by Lord Leverhulme.

Having amassed a fortune from his soap factory at Port Sunlight, William Hesketh Lever owned several properties in London and Scotland, in 1901 he purchased 2,100 acres known as Rivington Hall Estate. He effectively created the first country park by dedicating about 400 of these acres to the townspeople of Bolton and the surrounding district for their enjoyment.

He set about creating an impressive residence and landscaped gardens inspired by his travels to Japan. Over forty gardeners tended the pleasure gardens which included two lakes fed by a series of manmade waterfalls, footbridges, stepping stones and rockpools, all contrived to look as natural as possible. In its heyday there were teahouses, waterfalls, and a vast variety of exotic trees and shrubs.

Today much of the gardens are overgrown, but the summerhouse, ornamental lakes and numerous follies and structures can still be seen and enjoyed. Well worth a visit, with lots of information at the Lower Barn, including trails to follow. A quick search on the web will turn up a multitude of images some of which show the gardens in their prime, well worth a look when you have time.