A visit to the garden at Mawsons by kind permission of the owner, Brian Smith, who will lead the walk.

Mawsons was once part of the grounds of the Grey Walls estate (now Ridgeway Park) near Jenny Brown’s Point, Silverdale, believed to be designed by the renowned landscape architect, Thomas Mawson, some time in the 1920s, for the Sharp family.  The formal gardens that once graced the slopes around the original house nearly one hundred years ago fell into neglect over much of the late twentieth century and then were very nearly lost forever when the estate was divided up for sale and redevelopment a number of years ago.

Fortunately, local expert on Thomas Mawson, Brian Smith, was able to acquire the Summer House and garden and, together with a small but enthusiastic group of volunteers, has been patiently and laboriously working to reveal and restore many of its former wonders.

This walk offers an opportunity to visit the garden when (hopefully) it will be at the height of its autumn colours, especially the Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Katsura tree (Burnt Sugar, China 1881. RHS award 1993).  We will look at the Cercidiphyllum and other Autumn colours as well as at the Mawson design features, and areas being restored from the undergrowth

The walk will explore the history, style and flora of one of the former grand gardens of Silverdale designed by Thomas Mawson. We will look at the Mawson design features, pond, the new pergola and areas being restored from the undergrowth, as well as enjoying the summer flowers.

The walk round the gardens will start at 2pm and last about 2 hours. Walking is mostly on level terrain, although with some steps as well as sloping and uneven ground.

At the request of the owner, dogs are not permitted on this walk.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL This walk is now FULL.  To request places on the waiting list, please submit a Waiting List Application.