RHS Garden Bridgewater covers 154 acres on the former grounds of Worsley New Hall in Salford. Worsley combines this garden with a local history closely linked to coal mining and canal transport. Worsley Delph was the entrance to the underground canal network serving the Duke of Bridgewater’s mines; woodland and historic village buildings offer different points of interest.
Gardens, woodland and an activity trail
Worsley Woods covers around 30 hectares of woodland. It has a play and adventure trail with an accessible boat swing, climbing frames, climbing nets, wobble boards and parallel bars. The activity trails are suitable for younger and older children. Facilities may change over time.
The garden and woodland offer different themes to consider when planning a trip. If you’re travelling with children, you could include the activity trails in Worsley Woods; if you’re especially interested in gardens, RHS Garden Bridgewater is a destination in its own right. The information about these places does not assume a shared route.
Canal history and village character
Worsley Delph is the entrance to the underground canal in the Duke of Bridgewater’s mines. Coal was brought out along this route and then transported to nearby towns on the Bridgewater Canal. Worsley Delph is one of three designated ancient monuments in Salford. The village’s origins are also linked to the Delph: in the last quarter of the 18th century, a cluster of industrial buildings, cottages, shops, inns and other community buildings grew up there.
Worsley Village was designated a conservation area by the former Lancashire County Council in 1969. Historic buildings, canal basins, public open spaces and mature trees shape the character of the area. Worsley Green is a public open space bounded by Worsley Road, rows of 18th-century cottages and 19th-century houses with black-and-white façades in the regional vernacular style. The green is visually separated from the canal.
Buildings and their history
The Church of St Mark was built by Sir George Gilbert Scott for Lord Francis Egerton, the 1st Earl of Ellesmere; construction took place from 1844 to 1846. The north aisle was added in 1851. Worsley Court House was built in 1849 for the 1st Earl of Ellesmere and is a Grade II listed building. It is a timber-framed structure with a slate roof and is now used as a public events venue.
Worsley Old Hall is also Grade II listed. The engineer James Brindley lived there for a time while working for the Duke of Bridgewater between 1742 and 1759. During this period, he designed and built the Bridgewater Canal and the Barton Aqueduct. Worsley Old Hall is also now a country house pub, serving Sunday roasts and modern interpretations of classic pub dishes; the menu may change.
The Bothy is a boiler house and gardener’s residence designed by Edward Blore in the early 1840s. Its materials are pale Hollington stone and red brick; the chimney was designed to look like a lighthouse or signal tower. The Bothy is a Grade II listed building. These different buildings offer a glimpse into several aspects of architectural history, from ecclesiastical architecture to technical and horticultural functions.
Getting around Worsley
The Packet Boat Steps are part of the Bridgewater Way towpath at Worsley. They were once stopping places for canal boats; the Bridgewater Canal was first built in 1761. A one-mile self-guided walk explores Worsley’s history as a centre of transport innovation. Topics include a clock that strikes 13, underground canals and steamships. Check the current status of route materials in advance.
Bus routes 26 and 33 run from Manchester city centre to Worsley Village. Check the current timetable before travelling. The RHS Greenway is a project intended to improve walking and cycling connections to RHS Garden Bridgewater in Worsley, as well as to Walkden railway station, Parr Fold Park and Boothstown Marina.
When looking for hotels in Worsley, you could first consider what matters most for your trip: RHS Garden Bridgewater and Worsley Woods, canal and mining history, or the buildings and village character. This can help you choose a destination that matches the interests you want to shape your days in Worsley.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Hale, Golborne, Rochdale, Eccles, Timperley, Ramsbottom, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Dobcross.
For the main travel overview: Greater Manchester.
