RHS Bridgewater opened officially in May 2021just 4 years from the granting of planning permission to renovate and transform the 154 acre site of the Worsley New Hall estate into the first RHS Garden to be located in an urban area.

Sylvia Travers joined the Bridgewater team in October 2018 as Team Leader for the Inner Walled Garden. At this time the walled garden was a blank canvas of 11 acres, and Sylvia worked closely with the garden’s designers to achieve the regeneration of the Paradise and Kitchen gardens. In this talk she will chart the transformation from mud to beautiful, productive and wildlife friendly spaces.

Sylvia has been involved in horticulture, mainly kitchen gardening, for nearly 20 years, but she originally studied social science. When, ten years ago she couldn’t decide between academic and practical horticulture, she detoured into a PhD but missed getting her hands dirty so came back to the garden.

Her background in food growing (including having grown produce for Michelin starred chefs!) proved invaluable and by merging her market gardening techniques with traditional kitchen gardening she has aimed to create a garden which is both productive and beautiful.

Sylvia believes “Walled gardens occupy a special place in our hearts and the intention was always to create a modern garden that also acknowledges its past.”

Find out more about RHS Bridgewater

Sylvia’s Instagram

This online talk and all our lectures are FREE for Friends to access. Members of the public are welcome to join us for the live-streaming of the lecture for just £5. Please register, pay in our simple online check-out and you will receive details of the Zoom link to the lecture.