Heatons Open Gardens 2022

This was the 10^th Heatons’ Open Gardens day, 2022, organised by Rotary Stockport Lamplighters.

 Over the years the event has grown into a much loved and anticipated community event, visited by over a thousand people.

As always, we owe a great debt to our local shops, who sold hundreds of programmes for us this year. I do hope you will show them your support.

 Blagg’s Hardware on Heaton Moor Rd.

 Blue Corn Organic Food Store and Café, also on Heaton Moor Rd.

 Unwin’s Greengrocers, facing Blue Corn on Heaton Moor Rd.

 The Good Life, waste free mini market on Didsbury Rd and also on the hill to the market in Stockport

 Heaton’s Post Hub, Tatton Rd South, near HC station

 Thank you also to all local shops who have taken out an advert with us to offset the cost of the programme. Please support them also.

Garden Summary 2022

1) Darley  Street Community Garden.  Heaton Norris.  SK4 2LK, junction of Green Lane and Alexandra Rd.  

 This previously unkempt and unloved public footpath is well on the way to becoming a colourful and cared for community garden, to be enjoyed by all.

Volunteers have worked very hard to remove lots of tree stumps, rubble and litter, followed by digging and weeding.

The planting of a variety of flowers and shrubs, donated by local residents, has now started to transform the area, to the joy of all who pass.

Access is on a well maintained path which is suitable for wheelchairs.

2) Green Lane Allotments, Green Lane, Heaton Norris, SK4 2NF

 We invite you to come and have a wander in this peaceful haven.

Originally the site of a market garden, the allotment site was laid out in the early 1950s.

We have over 120 members and the usual waiting list. Our plot holders include families with young children all the way up to those who have been here for many years.

We are proud of our large site hut, shop and brick built toilet, all funded by members efforts. We have 12 raised beds and a large greenhouse for older and less able gardeners.

Refreshments, plants and some produce sales.
Accessible toilet

Wheelchair access on main roadway of the site

Parking on the road 

3) Signost for Carers, The Heatons  Centre, Thornfield Rd, Heaton Moor SK4 3LD ( Sat Nav SK4 3DQ).

 The gardens have been managed by a group of unpaid carers, Signpost staff and volunteers, for about eighteen months. The aim is to make a calming, relaxing  space for carers and the community to enjoy.

Before the Signpost Gardening Club was founded, the area was overgrown with trees and shrubs and the grass was cut by the Council. It is still a work in progress, but is fast becoming a pleasurable place to sit and relax.

4) 11, Gladstone Gr, Heaton Moor, SK4 4BX

The garden consists of mixed planting – vegetables, soft fruits, fruit trees, including a mature fig tree, flowers and shrubs, all of which are on different levels.

There is a deep wildlife pond, so children need to be supervised around i

 5) 36, Queens Drive, Heaton Mersey, SK4 3JW

 A generous family garden wraps around the house, creating lots of interest in different areas. These include a small walled courtyard, pergola, small vegetable area, a pond and generous herbaceous borders around a curved lawn.

Plants will be sold in aid of Reddish, a local charity tackling poverty and other vulnerabilities.

 6) 8, Queens Drive, Heaton Mersey, SK4 3JW

 The front garden is an unusual, modern tapestry garden with over 70 varieties of plants, giving all year round interest and attracts lots of bees and butterflies throughout the summer

The deceptively large, contemporary back garden was redesigned six years ago and features raised beds and a wide range of rare shrubs, trees and flowers.

There are narrow steps at the back so it’s unfortunately it’s not wheelchair accessible.

Plants and cakes for sale for charity

7) 6, Cannock Drive, Heaton Mersey, SK4 3JB

 A large, atmospheric woodland garden containing an idyllic lake, sweeping lawns and well-stocked borders planted according to principles of colour energy. A snaking path leads to a central seating area, through a wooded area and alongside the waters edge..

Summer house, fire pit and a historic back wall of a former glasshouse, are some of the other features of this surprising and secluded garden.

Refreshments for sale on the terrace

8) 54, Mersey Rd, Heaton Mersey,  SK4 3DJ

Almost a hundred years old, this garden has seen many changes and now consists of a variety of different areas, including a wild flower area at the side of the house which is often buzzing with bees, a koi pond, fernery, gravel area, vegetable plot, greenhouse and summerhouse at the back.

 It’s quite a quirky garden, with lots of vintage materials around, such as metal watering cans and chimney pots. Lots of seating in both shade and sun.

Display of interesting cars on the drive

Plants, books  and bric a brac for sale in aid of Rotary charities.

Prosecco, tea and biscuits   available for a donation to Beaumaris Lifeboat Station

 9) Priestnall Allotments, Laurel End Lane, SK4 3LU

 You can get here from garden 9 by walking along the path at the side of Priestnall School.

Dating from 1934, this is the largest site in Stockport. It displays several styles from traditional to modern, with diverse planting of vegetables and flowers. Smaller plots reflect today’s busy life styles whilst ten raised beds cater for the older and less able gardeners.

 Plants and refreshments sold in aid of St Ann’s Hospice.

 10 ) 15, Prince’s Rd, Heaton Mersey, SK4 3NQ

 This unusually large garden is packed full with flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Part of the garden houses an orchard and part is kept for bees and hens.

All the produce is used and home made ice cream will be available on the day alongside cream teas and freshly baked cakes, with all proceeds going to Rory’s Fund at Medecins Sans Frontiers

Part of the garden is wheelchair accessible.

 11) 34, Prince’s Rd, Heaton Mersey, SK4 3NQ

A cobbled drive with Spring bulbs, camellias and azaleas leads to an arched entrance where a large wisteria cascades down the side of the house. Azaleas and rhododendrons flank the path leading to the rear garden where there is a beautiful lawned area with herbaceous border, pond, greenhouse and children’s tree house.

The  wildlife pond is surrounded by acers, camassias and the most beautiful blue mecanops

12) 33, Clifton Rd, Heaton Moor, SK4 4DD

 A  larger than average corner plot, surrounded by mature sycamore, maple and ash trees. Developed over the last 8 years with distinct zones that meet the needs of a growing family – including a terrace, recently planted garden with fire pit and an area for growing fruit, vegetables and herbs

Free animal trail for children with lollipop prizes: donations welcome.

Refreshments and ice lollies for sale, all proceeds to Manchester City Council’s Ukraine Relief Fund.

Wheelchair access from side gate

 13 ) 14, Moorfield Rd, Heaton Moor. SK4 4BQ

Secluded hedged front garden sectioned with hazel hurdles and box hedging. Featuring climbing roses and a collection of old water tanks repurposed to form huge containers stuffed full of cottage garden perennials.

A side path leads ‘secret garden like’ to a rear garden laid over three levels. This quirky, creative space features heritage gardenalia, old brick patios, raised railway sleeper beds choc full of an array of cottage perennials, a paintbox of vibrant annuals, traditional physic herb, a creative bespoke garden room and a vintage potting shed,  

All of which delivers a space brimming with character and bursting with variety.

Bric a brac for sale.

14) The Grove Garden, SK4 4BQ, gardened by Louise Stonall from No 14

The Grove Garden is an ever evolving path-side garden running along Moorfield Grove.

Often called the ‘secret’ or ’fairy path” by children over the years, the garden was a project of renewal after the developer left the land in a dreadful state.

One huge, riotous sunny bed of companion planting comprising annuals, spring bulbs, statuesque angelicas and mega mints – all buzzing with bees- the Good Life on a path!

No parking

15 ) 15 Peel Moat Rd, Heaton Moor, SK4 4PL

This mature ( 1906) house has a front garden framed by  well established cedar, rhododendron, holly and hydrangea, with more recent planting of heuchera, allium and callycarpa to add seasonal interest

The side garden of fatzia, azaleas, wild strawberries and rhubarb leads to a rear garden surrounded by mature shrubs, cabbage palms and a vigorous fig climbing up the south west facing wall. Terracotta pots are used to grow herbs for the kitchen.

Two hens also live here, so mind your feet !

Refreshments available in support of Friends of Heaton Moor Park

Parking on the road.

16) St Paul’s Church and Sustainable Living in the Heatons, St Paul’s Rd, Heaton Moor. SK4 4RY

Sustainable Living in the Heatons is working closely with St Paul’s church and have produced a deluxe Bug Hotel in the church grounds.

Volunteers from SLH will be on hand during the day, showing visitors how that can make a smaller version for their own gardens and encouraging them to be more wild life and wildflower friendly.

The church has a group of volunteer gardeners who are working hard to make the garden a relaxing place for people to sit and relax on the day, so this may be an opportunity to have a look inside the church if you haven’t already done so.

Tea will be served on the lawn

Car parking at the back of the church.

 We don’t expect you to follow the map rigidly, it’s just a guide as to where the gardens are. You can dip in and out as the fancy takes you, but whichever gardens you choose to visit, we hope you have a wonderful day, looking around and chatting to the gardeners.

Our huge thanks must go to the gardeners who have worked extremely hard over the last twelve months.   

 THANK YOU, from all the Lamplighters.

Below is a  video of the 2020 virtual event during lockdown