Cathedral Gardens, Manchester

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Facts

Location	Client	Cost	Awards
Manchester, UK	Manchester Millennium Ltd	£4.4m	4

Project details

New green heart for the city.

We designed a series of themed lawns, trees, water features, artworks and hard landscape areas in the heart of Manchester’s Millennium Quarter.

Four distinct lawns feature soft rolling mounds, terraces and flowing plateaux with stepped walls, while English oaks, horse chestnuts and pines have been planted to create a miniature arboretum.

We used artworks to highlight the area’s archaeological heritage, stimulating exploration of the gardens through a ‘discovery trail’.

Water links all elements through a source pool, rill channel, finale pool and water jets shooting up to 7m high.

These gardens are playing a vital role in Manchester's urban regeneration.
Karen Howell Landscape architect, project director

Brief

create a major open space in the city centre
include areas for quiet contemplation, play, gathering and performance
complement the city’s historic core and new Millennium Quarter

Results

safe, accessible, green oasis in the city centre
flexible, low-maintenance outdoor venue for events
awards include Civic Trust Special Award for Urban Design 2004, Environment Award 2002 and Manchester Civic Society Award 2002