Visiting RHS Bridgewater with kids

RHS Bridgewater is the newest RHS garden located in Salford, Greater Manchester. It opened in May 2021. You might not necessarily think of visiting an RHS garden with kids but you’d be surprised at how fantastic they are for families. Read on to find out why a visit to RHS gardens Bridgewater makes a fantastic family day out. Find more Family days out North West England here.

We are RHS members and have visited Bridgewater a number of times over the last 12 months. As such you’ll notice the different seasons in the photos below.

Where is RHS Garden Bridgewater

The address of RHS Garden Bridgewater is Occupation Road, Off Leigh Road Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester, M28 2LJ.

There is a large free car park.

There are bus stops right outside the garden.

Is RHS Bridgewater pram-friendly? 

Yes, there are loads of accessible paths throughout RHS Bridgewater in fact I can’t think of many paths that aren’t. There are a few but there is always a way to avoid the steps.

Find more Pram friendly walks Manchester here.

RHS Bridgewater gardens

The gardens are split into various areas including walled gardens and woodlands. All the areas have something to offer and make lovely areas to walk around.

The walled garden is huge and split into smaller themed gardens that are all stunning and flow well together. We have visited in all seasons and even in winter there are still stunning features that stand out.

The paradise garden is our favourite area of the formal gardens. There is a large water feature that spans the whole garden (which is huge). There are multiple ponds with fountains that are in a straight line with a shallow channel of water linking them all together. In the summer, children love paddling in the shallow waters (1-2cm deep).

The other half of the walled gardens are kitchen gardens. Throughout the growing season, these gardens are stunning and are great for teaching children about where fruit and vegetables come from.

There are gardens beyond the walled gardens with more grassy areas, chicken coops and some smaller cafes.

There are some small exhibition spaces in this area as well as more toilet facilities.

Other areas of RHS Bridgewater that you might enjoy are the Chinese Streamside gardens which is full of twisting paths and beautiful bridges. You can also walk around the lake and back around to the highlight of the gardens for kids, woodland play.

RHS Bridgewater children’s play area

There is a large woodland play area in the middle of RHS Bridgewater. It’s fantastic for kids of all ages. My girls are 6 and 9 and both love the play areas.

There equipment is all wooden and designed to add to the natural environment. There is loads of climbing equipment, swings, tunnels to crawl through and then imaginative play areas too.

My kids love the mud kitchens, fairy houses, wooden musical equipment and the magical doors in the woods.

The play area is a fantastic place for kids to be physical, climbing and balancing and also to let their imaginations run wild.

How long does it take to go around RHS Bridgewater?

You can visit for as long or as little as you like. You can walk around the full gardens within a couple of hours but allow longer if there are events are on or if your kids will enjoy the large play area.

Facilities at RHS Garden Bridgewater

There is a large gift shop and garden centre in the welcome building as well as a large cafe. There are also smaller cafes in the gardens. The Garden Cottage Shepherds Hut and the Stable cafe. There is usually a coffee van in the children’s play area. There are also picnic areas within the play area.

There are toilets and baby changing facilities within the welcome building and in the walled gardens. There is a fantastic learning space in the main building too which is often used for some of the kid’s activities.

RHS Bridgewater family events

There are always lots of fantastic events for kids in the school holidays that are usually included in standard admission costs (free for members). They also frequently have free children’s trails leading you through the gardens with great activities for kids.

In school holidays there is usually a theme for the week and then different events on different days of the week. Activities include things like storytelling, crafts, small animal encounters and guided family walks.

They also put on a light trail at Christmas “RHS Glow” with discounted tickets for members.

RHS Bridgewater cost

The standard admission fee for adults is currently £12.35 and £5.95 for children over 5 years old. RHS members are free.

You need to prebook your tickets online here – Visiting RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford.

If you are a resident of Salford. You can visit free on a Tuesday until May 2024.

Can RHS members take a guest for free?

Yes, individual members can bring 1 adult guest or up to 2 children (5-16). Joint Members may bring a total of 1 adult guest between them and up to 4 children (5-16). 

Is car parking free at RHS Bridgewater?

Yes, car parking is free at RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Are dogs allowed in RHS Bridgewater?

Dogs are not allowed in the gardens except during their Walkies events which run regularly.

Where to next?

Find loads of free things to do in Manchester with kids here.

Find lots of things to do in Manchester for teenagers here.

Find more beautiful gardens to explore at Dunham Massey.

If you’re kids love a park trip, find the best parks in Manchester here.

Another great RHS garden to visit with kids is RHS Wisley (which is near to Legoland Windsor if you are down that way).

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