History of Ness

Ness Botanic Gardens was born of Arthur Kilpin Bulley’s passionate interest in plants and his desire to share that interest with others.

Arthur Kilpin Bulley, a significant sponsor of plant collectors in the twentieth century, not only laid the foundations of Ness Botanic Gardens but changed the face of British gardening.

Born in 1861, Bulley developed a deep interest in plants, particularly the hardier varieties and Alpine species. In 1898, Bulley bought farmland in Ness which he would go on to develop a family home, house, garden.  Arthur Bulley passed away peacefully at Mickwell House in 1942 and in 1948 his daughter, Lois, gifted the garden to the University of Liverpool in order to secure it’s future and continue her father’s love of horticulture.   

A timeline of key events can be found here View a timeline of the heritage of Ness

More information about plant hunters can be found here Plant hunters

Heritage tours of the gardens take place twice monthly Garden tours

Today, the commitment to maintain and develop the beauty of the Gardens remains, and there remains an emphasis on welcoming visitors, education, research, conservation, reflecting Bulley's original interests.