Just over the border in Lancashire is an area of countryside where you’ll find reservoirs, mysterious ruins and views for miles. A popular spot just outside of Bolton, Rivington has been a destination for daytrippers for decades.
In fact the area used to be referred to as Lancashire’s ‘little Lake District’ thanks to a series of reservoirs constructed in the Victorian era. But that’s not the only feature which makes the area special.
On the hillside of Rivington Pike you’ll find Rivington Terraced Gardens, a country park covering an area of around 45 acres. It’s made up of ruined structures, trails and ponds and feels like a formal garden that’s been reclaimed by nature.
In some respects, they are. The gardens were created by the soap magnate Lord Leverhulme, the founder of Lever Brothers (now Unilever), with the help of landscape gardener Thomas Mawson. Development started from 1905, continuing through to 1925.
Lord Leverhulme even had a bungalow built at the site to serve a holiday home, although the original bungalow was burned down by Suffragette Edith Rigby in 1913 and a second one was rebuilt. But after Lever’s death in 1925 the gardens were sold and left unfinished. They were abandoned following the Second World War while the houses on the site were demolished.
The land is now owned by United Utilities and a volunteer-run conservation and repair project is underway, led by the Rivington Heritage Trust. Today can visit the gardens for free and explore all the different features, including the majestic Pigeon Tower, which was built between 1905 and 1909 as a present from Lever to his wife.
It’s the perfect place to explore during the summer months and if you climb up the top of Rivington Pike you’ll be rewarded with incredible views for miles around. It’s not the only feature to have been created by Lord Leverhulme.
Hidden in the woods on the banks of Lower Rivington Reservoir is Liverpool Castle, made up of half-built towers, ruined walls and steps which lead to nowhere. While it looks as if it has stood there for centuries, the castle is in fact a folly and is replica of castle which stood in Liverpool from the early 1200s to the 1700s. Like the gardens it’s completely free to visit.
Head further north and you’ll come across Go Ape Rivington, where adventure-seeking kids and adults can take on an aerial adventure through the treetops with rope bridges, obstacles and zip wires. The treetop challenge has a minimum age of 10 and a minimum height of 1.4m. Children aged 10 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult, with a ratio of one adult to two children. Beside the centre is The Great House Barn, a tearoom serving up light bites and refreshments, ideal for refuelling after your adventure.
This year another attraction is coming to Rivington. On the other side of the water is the Anderton Centre, which offers activities like kayaking, sailing and stand up paddle boarding. This summer it’s launching a giant inflatable obstacle course on the water, North West Aqua Park.
Opening on Monday, August 3, it offers a fun but challenging experience on the water with giant inflatable obstacles, slides, climbing walls and more. A fully qualified lifeguard team will be supervising the course for the whole time. The minimum age for the course is six with a minimum height of 1.1m.
Children aged six to 11 must be accompanied by an adult on the Aqua Park, at a ratio of one adult to two children. Children aged 12 plus will need to be accompanied by an adult if they are not confident in open water or in large groups of people.
If you'd rather stay on dry land, there’s dozens of walking trails to follow in the area for a more laid-back experience.
