Lord Leverhulme (William Hesketh Lever), the soap magnate and founder of Lever Brothers (now Unilever) conceived and built the Terraced Gardens with the help of Thomas Mawson between 1905 and 1925. After his death, and subsequent sale of the property in 1925, the gardens began to fall into disrepair. The houses were demolished after World War II, and Rivington Terraced Gardens were left to the forces of nature.

60 years later, United Utilities own the land, and the Rivington Heritage Trust repair and conservation project is underway.

As the project progresses, and more of the shrubs, self-seeded trees and mud are cleared away, the original shape of Lord Leverhulme's garden is becoming more visible. New paths are being discovered, new stairways uncovered, and visitors to the gardens are beginning to see how it once might have been.

There is nowhere else like it on Earth. With iconic structures like the Pigeon Tower, the Seven Arch Bridge, the Summer Houses and Loggia, not to mention the Pulham rock faces around the pathways and Lakes - the Italian lake, where Lever used to take his morning swim, and the beautiful Japanese Lake, which was once looked upon from glamorous oriental pagoda-style tea houses - the Gardens are truly unique.

Do you need to get outside in the fresh air, meet new people, release some frustration, work off the stresses of the week? Do you love Rivington, and want to influence its future.

Volunteering is good for the soul, and great for the social life. Come and join the friendly gang at Rivington Terraced Gardens.