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Johnsons Nurseries Supplies Plants For Rockliffe‘s Multimillion-Pound Transformation



One of the UK’s largest plant nurseries, Johnsons Nurseries Ltd, has continued its long-standing relationship with the five-star luxury resort, Rockliffe, supplying more than 17,000 plants and trees for its newly landscaped grounds as part of its multimillion-pound transformation.


Set within 375 acres of historic parkland near Darlington, Rockliffe has undergone an extensive transformation, including the restoration of its Grade II-listed Old Hall, enhanced accommodation, new dining experiences, and the creation of a standalone restaurant pavilion named Atlas.


The ambitious project has seen the resort's gardens and outdoor spaces transformed to complement the renovated and new buildings, creating an attractive and welcoming environment for guests.


The landscape and planting scheme was designed by Colour Landscape Architects, while Johnsons Nurseries supplied an extensive selection of shrubs, trees, instant hedging, ornamental grasses, flowering perennials and topiary, creating year-round interest throughout the newly landscaped grounds.


Among the varieties supplied were mature Scots pines, multi-stem Amelanchier lamarckii and Magnolia trees, alongside instant Carpinus betulus hedging and ornamental Taxus baccata topiary. The planting scheme also features an extensive mix of flowering perennials and ornamental grasses, including Anemone 'Honorine Jobert', Geranium 'Rozanne', Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', Calamagrostis and Deschampsia, providing seasonal colour, texture and movement throughout the gardens.


The landscaping was carried out in-house by Rockliffe’s Estates team, led by Head of Engineering & Estates Phil Mennell.


Despite one of the hottest and driest summers, the team worked tirelessly to establish thousands of plants and trees, extensive hedging and new lawn areas, overcoming challenging conditions and tight deadlines to complete the grounds ahead of the resort's reopening.


Group Managing Director at Johnsons Nurseries, Graham Richardson, said:

"We're incredibly proud to have supplied the plants for Rockliffe’s newly transformed gardens as part of this prestigious development."

"From the restoration of the historic walled garden to this latest transformation, it's rewarding to see how the grounds have evolved. The finished gardens look fantastic, and we're delighted to have played a part in creating outdoor spaces that guests can enjoy for years to come."


Phil Mennell, Head of Engineering & Estates at Rockliffe, added:

"This has been one of the most ambitious landscaping projects we've undertaken at Rockliffe, and I'm incredibly proud of what our Estates team has achieved. Working closely with Johnsons Nurseries has been invaluable, ensuring we had the quality and variety of plants needed to bring the designs to life."

"It's been fantastic to see the gardens transform, and I'm looking forward to watching them establish and mature for our guests to enjoy for many years to come."


Emma Fletcher, Director at Colour Landscape Architects, said:

 “Johnsons have been a great support on the delivery of the new gardens at Rockliffe, assisting us on species choices and availability from early design stages and providing flexibility in deliveries to align with the challenging project programme."

"We are delighted that the completed gardens have been so well received, and a large part of that is the impact that the planting beds and stock have had.”


The completed gardens complement the resort's historic parkland setting, enhancing the guest experience and marking another chapter in Johnsons' long-standing relationship with Rockliffe, which reopened at the beginning of September.


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Leicester Riders and British Basketball League player, Conner Washington and Hot Shot, the mascot have visited Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre for some basketball fun to support Visit Leicester’s Fitcation campaign.


The Visit Leicester tourism team invited Conner to climb the Leap of Faith challenge at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre with his basketball, a 30-feet high platform with a jump into the abyss to catch a hanging trapeze bar. The event was aimed at showcasing one of the many activities for families and adults featured in the Fitcation tourism campaign.


Conner is one of the most decorated players in the game with 15 pieces of silverware and although he wears the number 13 shirt for the Riders, it’s not unlucky for him as he made a successful leap from the top of the pole! As one of our local sporting heroes, Conner was only too keen to try his hand at something new.


The leap was organised to promote the importance of active fun with family and friends. With the school summer holidays just around the corner, the Visit Leicester Fitcation campaign shines a light on many exciting, physical and action-packed adventures to be had in Leicester and Leicestershire for residents and visitors.


Conner Washington said: “I loved the whole experience and the best bit was definitely the Leap of Faith as I managed the maximum distance. Looking up from the ground, it looks much further than it looked at the top! As a professional sportsperson, I thrive on pushing myself and I certainly have done that here. I would encourage everyone to take on an active challenge or sport. The pride you get in achieving goals and the team spirt when playing a sport with others who enjoy the same things as you, is hard to beat. Staying active is important to let off steam or keep you mentally and physically engaged in something positive."


“I would like to bring my whole team here for some teambuilding – it’s been great fun. I brought the Riders mascot, Hot Shot along and he had a go at the power fan drop. Seeing a horse descend with a rope was quite a sight! That definitely proves Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre is for everyone.”


Chris Murnin, Deputy Manager at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre added: “It was great to see Conner take on the Leap of Faith. This inspired him to try more of the high ropes course including the climbing wall and power fan drop. The high ropes course is just one of the great assets on our 15-acre site next to the River Soar.


“We are all about inspiring active fun and confidence in a safe environment for our visitors, so being part of the Fitcation campaign is perfect for us. We are open all year round and offer after-school clubs, summer holiday activities, family activities, ladies only nights during the week and we also offer a paddle to the pub trip along the river. We’ve got something for everyone and have all the kit for a few hours of active fun.”


Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre is a partner in the Fitcation campaign and offers over 26 fun activities. From bell boating to crate stacking and raft building to abseiling, you can take to the water for a kayak adventure, get a great view on the aerial high ropes or have fun on dry land with bushcraft.


With a range of 49 bookable activities and challenges to experience through the Fitcation campaign, families, individuals and groups can book a wide range of thrill-seeking challenges and activities, as well as learning a new sport, find some active family fun or simply enjoy a gentle adventure in the Leicestershire countryside.


The campaign gives plenty of inspiration for having fun together, whatever the weather. Challenge your friends to a quad bike safari, learn to pilot a hovercraft over land and water. Take up scuba diving or open water swimming, give a round of golf a go – or try footgolf! You can try your hand at archery or axe throwing. Families can enjoy roller discos and bouncing around at trampoline parks. Take on the Ninja Warrior Adventure course, enjoy the outdoors with alpaca and donkey walks or explore a giant maize maze.


Fitcation is all about gentle adventures and active fun to stay healthy, energised and happy. Trying a new sport, setting a personal challenge to get a buzz of achievement, or just taking a walk in the beautiful Leicestershire countryside will create a sense of wellbeing that helps us cope better with our daily lives. To find out what your next active fun could be, go to www.visitleicester.info/fitcation


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