A fascinating exhibition exploring the history of the Upper Garden at Quarry Bank Mill will open this weekend.
The exhibition 'Breaking New Ground' will look at the history of the Upper Garden, where some archaeological works have recently been completed on part of the site.
As well as focusing on the Upper Garden, which was acquired by the National Trust in 2012 having previously been in private hands, the exhibition will also cover the Victorian technology and artefacts discovered during ground clearance and the archaeological dig.
The Upper Garden, which was created in the early 1800's, would have supplied vegetables and cut flowers for the Greg family, who owned the mill, and was also home to exotic and tender species such as peaches, pineapples and rare hot house flowers.
It was completely derelict and overgrown when acquired by the National Trust but over the past year, they have been working to restore the original pathways, and have recently cleared out the original dipping pond.
Amanda Lunt, Heritage Manager at the Mill, said "The garden is home to an extensive array of Victorian glasshouses, which although very derelict, retain their cast iron frameworks and are rare examples of the earliest cast iron structures of their type – we think about 1813, making them exceptionally important. Because they are made of cast iron rather than wrought iron, it means that Samuel Greg, who founded Quarry Bank Mill in the 1780s was at the forefront of technological advances in this field."
Earlier this year an archaeological dig was carried out to find the remains of the Melon House and more work will begin shortly on restoring the derelict Alpine House in the garden. It will be dismantled during October/November and rebuilt by local craftsmen.
Amanda Lunt added "We also want to invite visitors to give us their thoughts and ideas about possible uses for the space in the Upper Garden. It's a lovely area and could be used for picnics, small events, or just to sit and contemplate the setting."'
The Upper Garden will be formally open in spring 2012 but in the meantime visitors are welcome to look around and watch restoration work in progress.
The 'Breaking New Ground' exhibition opens at Quarry Bank Mill on Saturday, 24th September, and is open daily from 11am to 4pm until 27th January 2012. Please check the National Trust website for details or call 01625 445845.
Photos: Archaelogists on the trial of the lost Melon House in the Upper Garden earlier this year. The derelict Alpine House which is about to undergo restoration.