Walkden Gardens

This park has previously been awarded the Green Flag award.

Green Flag award
Walkden Gardens take its name from Harry Walkden who lived in the detached red brick house called ‘The Raft’ which is still standing today adjacent to the gardens on Derbyshire Road. He owned and ran a plant nursery, ‘Moorside Nurseries’, on the present site. The gardens, a little over 5 acres, were inspired by the famous 20th century garden at Hidcote Manor in Gloucestershire. Long alleys with vistas, a series of smaller garden ‘rooms’ (some originally intended for individual plant species) and the unique and beautifully proportioned Theatre Lawn – a large enclosed space that can seat up to 500 people, are all surrounded by tall beech hedges. The Japanese Garden is an unusual but beautiful addition to the gardens. For many years, the gardens have retained the prestigious Green Flag award, the latest awarded in 2018.

Facilities

  • Toilets

Friends group

The first Friends Group was formed in the 1980s as a response to the threat that the gardens might be demolished and the land incorporated into the grounds of the adjacent Grammar School. Thankfully, this proposal was dropped. The present Friends Group was founded about 20 years ago, with the objective of working with Trafford Council, the local community and other stakeholders to maintain and improve the gardens.

The Friends of Walkden Gardens now have an active group of volunteers who meet on the last Saturday of every month (except during December) to carry out practical work in the gardens. Over the years, the group has been responsible for many additions to the gardens; most recently the labyrinth. The Japanese Garden Society also play an important role by helping to maintain the beautiful Japanese Garden. Throughout the year various events are organised in the gardens to raise funds but also to introduce the gardens to a wider public. Perhaps most well-known and popular is the annual “Carols around the Dovecote” event. In 2013, the Friends Group were very proud to be awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Accessibility

For more detailed information about the accessibility of Walkden Gardens, please visit the DisabledGo website.

View all parks in Trafford