The Ridges, a private garden covering some 3.5 acres, is one of Lancashire’s well-known gardens to visit, having featured in the NGS (National Gardens Scheme) Yellow Book since 1995. Also known locally as Barbara Barlow’s Cottage Garden, it is now featured in the independently produced Good Gardens Guide, the ‘bible’ of gardens to visit throughout the UK. The gardens are gradually being restored and new features are included each year to give visitors lots of good ideas for garden planning and planting. Originally a cotton mill owner’s house the once walled kitchen garden is now full of perennial herbaceous borders and perfumed rambling roses, scrambling through some of the original fruit trees, giving a cottage style garden. The more formal garden is found through a living arch opening up onto a large formal lawn, surrounded by natural woodland and rhododendrons. There are new beds, which are planted with shrubs and trees, contrasting against an original copper beech and holly trees. Features include lawns, patios, arches, water features and scented areas. The latest feature is a restored small woodland area, being planted with shade loving plants and bulbs.