A new weekend bus service is transporting garden lovers to and from the popular RHS Bridgewater.
The new bus service is sponsored by South East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership (CRP), the group behind the Rivington Rambler, which relaunched this summer to take people from Bolton to Rivington.
Operated by Diamond Buses North West, the new weekend service runs hourly. Starting from right outside Walkden Station, the service is ideal for rail travellers coming in from Manchester, Salford, Wigan and further afield. The bus takes passengers to the main entrance of RHS Bridgewater Gardens, meaning there is no need to trudge up and down the hill from the main road.
The new service is funded by RHS Bridgewater, Northern, Community Rail Network and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and will run until 25th September with the potential for extension, if the service proves popular over the summer months.
There is a flat fare of just £1 for adults and 50p for children, but, with a valid rail ticket, journeys on the bus are free. Normal TfGM concessions are valid.
Andy Barlow, Vice Chair of South East Lancashire CRP, said: “The new bus service is a great way to get to the amazing gardens at RHS Bridgewater. The bus takes you right to the door and the fare is very attractive. And, there’s room to take your plants home on the bus!”
Bridgewater is the first RHS garden in the North West, and fifth overall in the UK. After over four years in the making, stretching over 154 acres and with a quarter of a million plants in the ground, RHS Bridgewater finally opened its gates to the public after a year’s delay due to the pandemic. Bolton School alumni and celebrity gardener Carol Klein was in attendance at the £35m launch last year, in her capacity as RHS Ambassador.
You can keep up to date with future projects and events from South East Lancashire CRP by visiting their Facebook page.