RHS Garden Bridgewater celebrates fifth birthday with £5 tickets

RHS Garden Bridgewater celebrates its fifth birthday this May, marking half a decade as one of the North West’s most visited attractions.

Since opening, more than 2.49 million visitors have explored the 154-acre garden. To celebrate the major milestone, RHS Bridgewater will welcome guests for a special day of activity and offers, with all tickets priced at just £5.

On Mon 18 May, the gardens’ first 50 visitors will receive a birthday goodie bag, with the 50th including a golden ticket granting a full year of individual RHS Membership.

Visitors can also enjoy a £5 hot drink and cake offer in the cafés, £5 off plants priced £15 or above in the plant shop, and uplifting performances from local choirs Salford in Harmony and Hands in Harmony. A wider offer of 30% off RHS Membership will run from Sat 16 May – Tue 19 May.

Over the last five years, RHS Bridgewater has welcomed more than 86,000 Salford residents on its Salford Free Tuesdays, and the garden has hosted nearly 150 wellbeing groups from across Greater Manchester and beyond. Its volunteer team – which is now made up of 255 individuals across 33 roles – has contributed more than 121,000 hours since 2021.

In that time, the garden’s transformation has included seven new ponds, more than 2,283 metres of hedgerows and a revitalised Victoria Meadow, which houses 50 species of wildflowers. Recorded bird species now stand at 53, including eight of serious conservation concern, and nine bat species have been detected on site compared with just three in 2016.

Since opening, more than 500,000 plants have been added, 3,484 plant taxa have been recorded, and over 494,703 bulbs have been planted. The fifth birthday comes at an exciting time for the venue, which is set to open the Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden this September.

Marcus Chilton Jones, Head of Site, RHS Garden Bridgewater, said: “Bridgewater was always intended to be more than a garden – it’s a place to grow skills, wellbeing and connection. Five years on, it’s inspiring to see how deeply people feel part of this landscape. Our volunteers, community partners and supporters have made it thrive in ways we couldn’t have imagined. With major developments on the horizon, including the Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden, we’re entering an exciting new phase of Bridgewater’s story.”

Stephen Young, Chief Executive, Salford City Council, added: “RHS Bridgewater, is a truly special venue and we’re extremely proud to have it here in Salford. Its popularity has grown with residents and visitors and I’m sure many more will come to celebrate and take advantage of the fifth birthday offers. It’s a place that really is at the heart of the community and we look forward to working in partnership with the RHS to ensure it continues to thrive for many more years to come.”

For more information and to book your £5 tickets click the button below.