Former convent orchard, Holly Mount Orchard is undergoing a renaissance.
Originally planted in the early 1900s, like too many traditional orchards across England, Holly Mount Orchard had been neglected for decades, abandoned to the clutches of brambles and Japanese Knotweed. When work started a few years ago, the orchard was just inches from complete dereliction: they had no idea how many trees were still alive, submerged beneath 6 metre high brambles!
Over the past few years, with the support of Incredible Edible Ramsbottom, they have begun a long-term restoration project, returning the orchard to its former glory and making its fruit available for its community.
With 55 heritage apple trees surviving, they are also doing their bit to restore this important habitat: a living, biodiverse and sustainable environment.
The large container can be reached from the approach steps to the orchard. Please feel free to wander around this beautiful orchard, watch out for the bees, they're hard at work! If the season is right then feel free to pick an apple or 2!
This cache has been placed with permission of Incredible Edible Ramsbottom