A once-forgotten corner of Hesketh Park has burst back into life, thanks to the grand opening of The Kitchen Garden—a thriving new community hub filled with colour, flavour, and opportunity.
The ribbon was officially cut by Southport’s own celebrated gardener Alan Foxall, just weeks before his next appearance at the Southport Flower Show this August.
Operated by Bridge Inn Community Farm, The Kitchen Garden is much more than a place to pick up freshly grown veg or vibrant bedding plants. It’s a working nursery and social enterprise offering adults with additional needs the chance to gain hands-on experience in horticulture, customer service, and retail.
Alan Foxall said:- “The new Kitchen Garden is an excellent new addition for Southport. It’s an excellent way of utilising previously vacant space in Hesketh Park by Bridge Inn Community Farm and their clients.”
With 4 fully restored polytunnels, a growing shop area, and a carefully curated outdoor site, The Kitchen Garden is now a blooming part of Southport’s green heritage. Open Monday to Friday, 11am–3pm, and Saturday mornings from 9am–12pm, it welcomes everyone—from curious gardeners to hundreds of Southport Parkrun regulars dropping in after their weekly race. (No need to book—just turnip!)
Inside, you’ll find an impressive array of seasonal produce—think Swiss chard, sweetcorn, beetroot, courgettes, fennel, and turnips. Come winter, the site will be home to 500 Christmas trees. A shop area offers potted herbs (some rare, all just £3), and soon a purpose-built retail space will add even more charm.
Deputy Manager Natalie Thompson says the garden is already making a powerful impact. She said:- “Our clients love it here. They’re working as part of a team, they’re part of creating something really special. It gives them a real sense of pride and a real sense of purpose.”
Bridge Inn Community Farm, based in Formby, has grown from supporting just 1 client in 2010 to working with over 60 people across Sefton and West Lancashire. Their educational day services offer everything from animal care to arts and textiles, and their partnership with a local horticultural college means real qualifications—and real job prospects—for many of their learners.
The transformation of the Hesketh Park site has been nothing short of remarkable. After 6 years of being overgrown and unused, it’s now home to a refurbished building with kitchen facilities, toilets, a canteen, and even local park-themed murals on the walls. The project has already earned a Green Flag Award, with Britain in Bloom judges due to visit soon.
Also buzzing behind the scenes—quite literally—are Anthony and Larissa from Sunnyside Guest House, who manage the garden’s beehives. The award-winning couple recently took home gold at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 for both B&B of the Year and Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism.
In 1 of the polytunnels, visitors can explore a Victorian Greenhouse display, part of the garden that won Large Gold at last year’s Southport Flower Show. Bridge Inn will return this year, proudly exhibiting alongside Alan Foxall.
There’s even a resident chef on hand, sharing creative cooking tips using fresh produce straight from the garden—perfect for curious foodies looking to try something new with herbs like chocolate mint, tricolour lemon verbena, or curry plant.
The site also welcomes school visits, helping children learn where their food comes from, and offering hands-on experiences from planting to picking.
Bridge Inn Community Farm continues to grow—literally and figuratively—as a shining example of what happens when community, care, and cultivation come together.
