The lost oasis hidden in Greater Manchester's hills

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Rivington Pike is one of the most popular walking destinations in the north west.The views from its summit stretch to Winter Hill, Rivington Reservoir, Cheshire, and even all the way to the Lake District and the Isle of Man on the clearest days.But halfway up the broken cobbled paths to the top visitors stumble across an unexpected pocket of zen.With a trickling fountain, man-made islands and caves, and trees trailing their branches into the water, it's a tranquil oasis halfway up the climb to the top.This is the Japanese Lake, and is part of the Rivington Terraced Gardens, which spans about 45 acres of the hillside.The lake was built by Lord Leverhulme, the founder of Lever Brothers (now Unilever), inspired by a trip to Japan.In its.