Brook Mills Gardens is home to our Natural Health Service – a programme that supports people to live with, or recover from, mental and physical health challenges. Local health workers refer participants to us on prescription and we help them connect with nature, creativity, community and possibility. Over time, resilience and confidence take root and start to flourish.
Our Community Garden is also based at Brook Mills Gardens where we will host school groups, volunteers, events and partner businesses. Visitors are welcome to relax in the Community Garden when it’s not in use.
The name Brook Mills Gardens is inspired by the mill that used to stand on this site. Brook Mills was erected by local businessman Robert Thatcher in 1854. Five storeys high and initially steam-powered, it produced cotton, carpet yarn, rope and candle wicks for 70 years. The mill was demolished in 1929.
The first phase of our Urban Farm was established here in 2023, with the support of local young people, volunteers, businesses, and funding from the Halpin Trust and the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund. We built two 18-metre polytunnels, created outdoor growing beds using the no-dig method, established our Community Garden and planted an orchard. Our first produce sales and events took place here and some of our onsite businesses are based here. Hive5 Manchester, who manage the Northern Roots apiary, run courses and workshops here throughout the year, and Bugs and Butterflies UK are in the process of creating a Butterfly House in one of the polytunnels.
