Join us at Hollybush to discover why it was once the centre of the rhubarb world! In 2024 we’re celebrating Joseph Whitwell, gentleman rhubarb farmer, with a blue plaque commemorating the site of his former home and farm at Hollybush. Whitwell pioneered the process of forcing rhubarb at scale, and The Royal Agricultural Society reported in 1871 that he was the ‘largest grower of forced rhubarb in any single location in the UK’. But why was Hollybush such a perfect place for a rhubarb grower to live?

Tying in with the Heritage Open Day theme of ‘Routes, networks and connections’, join us for a self-guided tour around Hollybush and learn more about the paths and waterways that helped Whitwell grow Hollybush Farm into such a success.

As part of our Heritage Open Day we will be collecting stories and memories of rhubarb growing in the Bramley and Kirkstall area, which continued, on a reduced scale, into the 1970s. Do come and share your rhubarb recollections! Visitors will be able to admire the new blue plaque in honour of Joseph Whitwell, explore Hollybush, which has been a thriving Conservation Centre since 1979, and enjoy rhubarb-themed treats in our community café.