Paths in The Tasting Garden Restored

There has not been a new post for this blog in over a year but now we have some exciting news to share.

The paths in The Tasting Garden and the slope between the lower and upper levels in the Copper Beech Garden have been re-laid.

After nine new replacement stone sculptures had been installed in The Tasting Garden, it was decided that the next priority was the restoration of the paths.  The paths are an essential part of the artwork designed by Mark Dion.  They are laid out to represent the branches of a tree. 

The paths needed to be restored because grass and weeds had encroached so much that it was difficult to see the paths and FOSG did not have the resources to keep the paths clear.

The paths had to be re-laid using a material that would be resistant to weeds but still meet the artistic vision of Mark Dion and be compatible with the garden being in a local Conservation Area.

The solution was Breedon Golden Amber Gravel.  Breedon Golden Amber Gravel is a 100% natural hard limestone from Breedon Quarry which is crushed and graded to a 12mm to dust.  A high content of this material is a naturally occurring light marl which makes the gravel self-binding.

Having agreed a solution, the next challenge was to raise the money to purchase enough material and pay a contractor to carry out the work.

This was achieved through generous support from:

• The National Lottery Community fund,
• The Lancashire Environmental fund,
• The Finnis Scott Foundation, and
• Lancashire County Council Members Grant provided by Erica Lewis, former County Councillor.

The support was so generous that there was also funding available for the slope in the Copper Beech Garden, between the lower and upper levels, to be redesigned and replaced.  This gives greatly improved access to the whole of the Copper Beech Garden for wheelchair users, others with limited mobility and visitors with prams and pushchairs.

The work started on 10 November.  By 22 November it was 90% complete.  The main groundwork has been done, but wet weather has delayed the final compacting.   The contractor will return in early spring 2026 to undertake that work.

So, the gardens are now fully open to the public.

Below are some photos of the re-laid paths.  The photos are in two sets.  The first shows how badly overgrown the paths had become.  In places it is almost impossible to see where the paths go.  The second set shows the paths as they are now.  All the photos were taken by Guangyi Li.  Click on an image to enlarge.