Walkden Gardens Compass Rose - Sale, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 25.093 W 002° 18.706
30U E 545739 N 5919015
This compass rose in Walkden Gardens is situated at the entrance to the formal gardens and as well as showing the cardinal points gives directions of various attractions in the gardens.
Waymark Code: WMJNJR
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/09/2013
Views: 2
The Gardens
Walkden Gardens are on the site of what was originally a plant nursery. Harry Walkden, the owner of the site donated the land to Sale Borough Council in 1949 as part of his will, provided that the land be used for the public good; preferably laid out as a park, pleasure ground or botanical gardens.
The area was landscaped as formal gardens and the greenhouses used to grow flowers for use in public parks throughout the area. However although the gardens were always open to the public they were protected by tall trees and were largely unknown. Indeed the gardens were sometimes referred to as the Secret Garden.
Since 2000 the Friends of Walkden Gardens have worked to improve the facilities and make the gardens more well known. A path leads from the car park to a central point, which then has paths that lead to distinct landscaped areas such as a Japanese Garden and a Wisteria Garden.
link
The Compass Rose
The compass rose was laid out in 2007 on the ground near to the entrance to the formal gardens and provides a focal point to the gardens. It is 4.9 metres in diameter and was partly funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. This foundation aims to improve the quality of life throughout the UK.
link
The compass rose is situated in an area where pathways were in need of repair, and the project also allowed areas of the garden to be discreetly signposted with no intrusive signposts.
The perimeter of the rose has ceramic tiles spelling out the different points of interest in the park and was designed by Gordon Cooke. The centre of the rose is laid out as a pebble mosaic and was designed by Janette Ireland.
link