Chorlton Community Garden

Chorlton Community Garden is a small and much-loved green space on Manchester Road, tucked between Chorlton Library and the Sedge Lynn. Once a public toilet, the site has been reimagined as a community garden — proof that even the most unlikely spaces can be transformed.

Cared for by a group of local volunteers, under the wing of Chorlton Civic Society, the garden is being developed as a welcoming, biodiverse space that brings people together, supports wildlife, and offers opportunities for growing, creativity and learning.

We warmly welcome anyone who can offer time, skills or expertise, whether occasionally or more regularly. To get involved, email Carolyn at secretary@chorltonvoice.org

Check out the video of our very own song written by Carolyn Kagan and Peter Topping - enjoy the images and learn about the history of this 'little oasis twixt library and pub', Green Chorlton's Hub.

Chorlton Community Garden

🌱 What we’ve achieved

Over the last couple of years, the Friends of Chorlton Community Garden steering group has made major progress in restoring and improving the garden. This has been made possible through planning permission from Manchester City Council, funding from National Lottery Awards for All, Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Investment Fund, the Co-op, Chorlton Makers’ Market, and the Ralph Brocklehurst Fund.

Highlights include:

🌿 A green roof installed and planted on the storage shed, boosting biodiversity

🪨 Heritage York stone paving creating a more accessible, less muddy courtyard-style space

🌸 Flower beds and spring bulbs planted, including around Chorlton Library, the start of a dye garden, an edible forest garden

🌳 Raised beds rebuilt, including an edible forest garden with integrated seating

🎶 A sheltered performance space to host small events, performances and community gatherings as well as for displaying artworks

🍽️ A picnic table, generously funded by the Makers’ Market, now available for visitors

We’ve delivered a range of community projects, including Space to Grow (supporting first-time veg growers), a mushroom-growing workshop, and a flax-processing session among others.

In October 2025 we celebrated the reopening of the garden with a launch event featuring a poem from the Lord Mayor, a performance of our song “A little oasis ’twixt library and pub” by The Mad Donnas, and tastings of apple-based produce from the garden.

We were proud to receive a Britain in Bloom ‘Advancing’ award, with judges commenting: “So very well done to all of you, for getting this far and having high aspirations.”

Together, we’ve now raised over £40,000 to support restoration work and community activity.

🎨 Creativity & community

In December we held a Christmas wreath-making workshop, led by Mez from Mad Sustainable Design. Using foraged and natural materials, participants created wreaths that decorated the garden railings and brought seasonal colour and warmth to the space.

We’re delighted to be working with local artist Jolene Shehan, who has won the commission to create a new sculpture for the garden, Windows Through the Seasons. The artwork will feature changing panels inspired by the four seasons, bringing colour, light and interest to the garden throughout the year. Ideas gathered through community drop-in sessions will help shape the designs for the seasonal panels.

🌿 What’s coming up
Windows Through the Seasons – community drop-in
📅 Saturday 17 January, 11am–1pm. A free, friendly creative drop-in at Chorlton Library (large community room).
All welcome to explore the changing seasons through simple creative activities. Visitors can add a word, memory or drawing if they wish, or simply enjoy the space and chat.📧 For more information, email jolene.joyethic@gmail.com

Fruit tree pruning workshop with The Orchard Project
📅 20 January, 10am–3pm. A hands-on workshop on pruning apple and other fruit trees. Two free places are available for future garden volunteers — contact Danielle at danielle.lowy@gmail.com to express interest.

More volunteering opportunities will open up through spring — from planting and maintenance days to creative workshops. We’re also developing plans for new planters, a small wildlife pond, and hosting events, including during Chorlton Arts Festival 2026.