Gardens To Visit
Gardens To To Visit Gardens Visit A guide to the greatest gardens in Yorkshire
Burton Agnes Hall And Gardens
A guide to the greatest gardens in Yorkshire
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Near Leyburn 01969 623981 www.boltoncastle.co.uk These gardens were reinstated in 1994 following research into their medieval background. The two Walled Gardens in front of the castle and the Herb Garden, containing culinary and medicinal herbs, both take influence from this period. In the Rose Garden, more than 25 varieties of rose bush promise delightful sights and smells. Must Not Miss: A small vineyard has recently been established with a frosthardy and modern hybrid variety of red grape which should (in time) produce up to 1,000 bottles of wine each year.
BREEZY KNEES GARDENS Common Lane, Warthill 01904 488800 www.breezyknees.co.uk A riot of colour bursts from the Cottage Garden, the vibrant borders and the meadow at this award-winning, 15-acre garden on the outskirts of York. The tranquility of the Pond and Shade Garden is something to be savoured while the September and Conifer Gardens shine in their own right as the summer draws to a close. Top Tip: The regularly updated collection of perennials, including rare plants, will ensure you can find an original plant to take home.
BRODSWORTH HALL AND GARDENS Brodsworth, Doncaster 0370 333 1181 www.english-heritage.org.uk Take a stroll through these splendid Victorian-style gardens and enjoy the formal gardens and pleasure grounds with its fountain centre piece. New displays
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Burton Agnes, Driffield 01262 490324 www.burtonagnes.com Delightful colour-schemed gardens, sumptuous shrub roses, herbaceous plants, and a neo-Elizabethan-style Walled Garden with over four thousand different plant species all provide horticultural treats for visitors. Both adults and children are free to play chess, draughts and snakes and ladders on the life-sized game boards. Must Not Miss: Children can look for giant caterpillars, squirrels, spiders and other creepy crawlies along the woodland sculpture walk.
CASTLE HOWARD York 01653 648333 www.castlehoward.co.uk Relax in these expansive gardens dotted with temples, lakes, statues and fountains, and enjoy the seasonal displays of magnolias, azaleas, roses and delphiniums. In the Woodland Garden, you’ll discover a fine collection of rhododendrons which bloom in early summer, and a woodland trail for young children. Top Tip: Take a boat trip on the Great Lake to get wonderful views of the 18th century house.
CONSTABLE BURTON HALL GARDENS Leyburn 01677 450 428 www.constableburton.com Having evolved over time from the formal Elizabethan period to the current informal layout, these gardens and woodland are a must for garden and nature-lovers alike. Canopy trees such as the sweeping cedar of Lebanon and a majestic deodar cedar provide shelter for scented magnolia, Acer japonica and Acer palmatum. Top Tip: The Stream Garden with reflection ponds and large architectural plants is a pleasant spot to enjoy peaceful contemplation.
DUNCOMBE PARK Helmsley, York 01439 770213 www.duncombepark.com The 35 acres of landscaped gardens here contain temples, sweeping terraces and
DUTCH HOUSE GARDENS Mill Green Farm, Crayke, York 01347 889431 www.dutchhouseyorkshire.com The Dutch House Gardens, designed by Dutchman Sjaak Kastelijn, are set in the Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is an exciting wildlife garden with perennial borders, a Vegetable Garden, a wildflower meadow, mature trees and shrubs and a kid’s play area. The garden, with the river Foss meandering through, is a natural habitat for birds and wildlife. Top Tip: In the converted farm building, there’s a contemporary art gallery with changing exhibitions.
EAST RIDDLESDEN HALL GARDENS Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley 01535 607075 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall A profusion of bright colour greets visitors to these glorious gardens, intimate in size and style. In the warmer months, the formal garden is full of cottage garden plants, such as delphiniums, irises and geraniums, plus a selection of old English roses. The herb border was traditionally used as the Hall’s medicine cabinet and children can let off steam in the play areas, explore the grass maze and discover the Hobbit House. Top Tip: There’s no better place to spot wildlife than at the bird hide, well-visited by all manner of small feathered friends.
‘A profusion of bright colour greets visitors to these glorious gardens, intimate in size and style’ – East Riddlesden Hall Gardens
THE FORBIDDEN CORNER Tupgill Park Estate, Leyburn 01969 640638 www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk Lose yourself in a labyrinth of tunnels, chambers and follies in the four-acre Forbidden Corner. It’s a wonderland waiting to be explored – skip across stepping stones, wander along winding paths, and watch out for water features. You can even go underground in this topsy turvy world which provides a family day out with a difference. Top Tip: Pre-booking is absolutely essential here, just call or go online.
Beningbrough Hall garden (c) National Trust Images-Stephen Robson
BOLTON CASTLE GARDENS
BURTON AGNES HALL AND GARDENS
woodlands while the walks in the river valley and meadows offer stunning vistas of the distant moors. While exploring the gardens you may come across the Doric Temple surrounded by wild flowers and the scented Secret Garden around the old conservatory. Must Not Miss: The wonderful views of Helmsley and the valley of the river Rye from the Ionic Temple.
Brodsworth Hall And Gardens
Beningbrough, York 01904 472027 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbroughhall Surrounding a baroque mansion, these year-round gardens provide picturepostcard views with riverside walks, ancient trees and hidden wildlife. High summer is the time for the Mediterranean blooms of the Italian border, and the dahlias of the south border excel in late summer. The wilderness play area will keep children entertained. Top Tip: Take in the views from the terrace while sampling food from the Walled Garden restaurant.
include the Woodland Garden, restored alpine beds and the Fern Dell, planted with many rare ferns. Must Not Miss: The beautiful Rose Dell contains species of wild and native roses which come into full bloom and scent in the summer.
Burton Agnes Hall And Gardens
BENINGBROUGH HALL AND GARDENS
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FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL WATER GARDEN Ripon 01765 608888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey One of only two UK gardens to merit World Heritage Site status, the Georgian formal layout leads to a deer park, home to red, fallow and Sika deer, pheasants, swans, bats and ancient trees for the nature lover. In the ornamental Georgian water garden, cascades flow into a serene landscape of mirror-like ponds surrounded by statues, temples, lawns, follies and the Abbey ruin. Must Not Miss: Enjoy a walk through the medieval deer park with its many crisscrossing paths.
Helmsley Walled Garden
GODDARDS GARDEN
‘The double herbaceous border is alive with colour and a haven for birds and butterflies during the summer months’ – Newby Hall And Gardens
Tadcaster Road, York 01904 771930 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/goddards Four acres of gardens, modelled by renowned designer George Dillistone to complement the Arts and Craftsstyle house, sitting just outside the centre of York. The series of yew-hedged garden rooms include formal terraces of perennials, including lavender in summer, and there are intricate water features, rockeries, lawns, hidden pathways and an original glass house still used by the gardening team. Top Tip: Goddards is the former home of chocolatier Noel Goddard Terry, inventor of the Chocolate Orange.
HAREWOOD HOUSE Harewood, Leeds 0113 218 1010 www.harewood.org Head Gardener Trevor Nicholson tends to the gardens at Harewood including the archery border, the terrace and the Walled Garden. The Himalayan Gardens were opened by Alan Titchmarsh and are a plant-hunter’s paradise, with paths through a gorge and a bridge across the beck to take visitors on an exploration of plants. Children are free to frolic on the slides, swings and climbing frames in the adventure playground. Must Not Miss: Harewood’s renowned Bird Garden is home to exotic species including penguins and flamingos.
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Newby Hall And Gardens
Ripley Castle And Gardens
RHS HARLOW CARR Crag Lane, Harrogate 01423 565418 www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Harlow-Carr From woodland to wildflowers and sculptures to inspirational planting, RHS
Harlow Carr has it all. Explore the Alpine Zone at the top of the valley to see the collection of more than 2,000 plants and learn about habitat conservation. Two centuries of gardening history are displayed through the seven gardens which take you through the fashions and techniques over the period. Top Tip: Visitors will notice a more floral theme to the Streamside Garden, with Primulas and Japanese water iris looking particularly lovely during the summer.
HELMSLEY WALLED GARDEN Cleveland Way, Helmsley, York 01439 771427 www.helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk This five-acre garden is set against the backdrop of Helmsley Castle and provided the fruit and vegetables for the Feversham family in the 18th century. Admire the fruit trees climbing up the walls and the newly created clematis garden showcasing more than 150 different varieties. Top Tip: Pop into the restored Victorian glass houses, home to a collection of vines and salad crops grown for the adjoining Vinehouse Café.
KIPLIN HALL GARDENS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS Near Scorton, Richmond 01748 818178 www.kiplinhall.co.uk Head Gardener Chris Baker is working to restore these once-neglected gardens to their former glory. Enjoy the newly planted White Garden, the fragrant Rose and Sensory Gardens and the woodland walk, which provides idyllic spots for a picnic. The 18th century Walled Garden has been rejuvenated with the planting of fruit trees and vegetables. Top Tip: Nature lovers can take the milelong route round the lake where herons, swans, great-crested grebe, oystercatchers and lapwing can be spotted.
NEWBY HALL AND GARDENS Ripon 0845 4504068 www.newbyhall.com First created in the 1920s, these are gardens for all seasons, with colour and interest throughout the year. Discover the peace and quiet of Sylvia’s Garden filled with soft white, pink and purple flowers, the Autumn Garden and the Tropical Garden. The double herbaceous border is alive with colour and a haven for birds and butterflies during the summer months. Must Not Miss: Newby holds the National Collection of Cornus, made up of 30 species of stunning flowering dogwoods.
NOSTELL PRIORY AND PARKLAND Doncaster Road, Nostell, near Wakefield 01924 863892 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nostell-priory Take in the recently planted orchard or the formal Rose Garden and wander through the parklands to the Obelisk Lodge or through Joiner’s Wood in the 300-acre pleasure grounds of this Georgian country house. For the children, there is an adventure playground. Top Tip: The lakeside walks will take you to the serene Robert Adam boathouse.
NUNNINGTON HALL GARDENS Nunnington, near York 01439 748283 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nunnington-hall On the banks of the River Rye, the gardens of this period manor house are perfect to spend the day strolling around. Horticultural enthusiasts will enjoy the renowned organic Walled Garden, and the informal planting amongst topiary within its walls. Children can play giant chess, muck about in the mud pie kitchen and greet the flamboyant resident peacocks. Must Not Miss: The orchards planted with wild flower meadows are beautiful in the summer.
PARCEVALL HALL GARDENS Skyreholme, Near Appletreewick 01756 720311 www.parcevallhallgardens.co.uk Situated in the Yorkshire Dales, Parcevall Hall Gardens is unusual in that despite its elevation, it’s home to a variety of plants, shrubs and trees rarely seen at this height. With a variety of soils, rhododendrons and camellias can flourish alongside limestone outcrops. Must Not Miss: Take a walk through the gardens rising up the hillside to catch the impressive views of Simon’s Seat and Wharfedale.
RIPLEY CASTLE AND GARDENS Ripley, Harrogate 01423 770152 www.ripleycastle.co.uk A traditional Victorian walled garden with an extensive collection of rare vegetables from the Henry Doubleday Research Association and 25 acres of lakes are just some of the attractions in these magnificent gardens. Children can also delight in the play trail, an informative hunt around the pleasure grounds. Must Not Miss: Enjoy the riotous colours and scents of the hyacinth collection.
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Church Lane, Sewerby, Bridlington 01262 673769 www.sewerbyhall.co.uk Set atop a dramatic clifftop, the views of Bridlington are something to behold from the 50 acres of magnificent early 19th century parkland. The nautical-themed adventure playground will appeal to children while the woodland walk, the formal Rose and Walled Gardens, and the intricate deer wood carving in the Pleasure Garden will please adults. Must Not Miss: The magnificent monkey puzzle trees, reputed to be amongst the oldest in England.
SHEFFIELD WINTER GARDEN 90 Surrey Street, Sheffield 0114 2736895 www.sheffield.gov.uk This is one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in Britain during the last hundred years and forms a green oasis in the heart of the city. More than 2,500 plants from around the world, selected for their suitability to cold temperatures, come together in this building the size of 5,000 greenhouses to create a stunning display. Top Tip: The Winter Garden offers a welcome stop for coffee and light refreshments and also houses the Bessemer Gallery.
SLEDMERE HOUSE AND GARDENS Sledmere, Driffield 01377 236637 www.sledmerehouse.com Plant lovers as well as wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive range of plants and naturalistic gardening techniques employed here that help attract many different birds, butterflies and bees. A mixture of home-grown and more unusual plants found growing in the garden are on sale in the courtyard. Top Tip: Those who wish to learn more
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Stewart Lane, Stillingfleet, York 01904 728506 www.stillingfleetlodgenurseries.co.uk Large enough to while away a couple of hours exploring, yet small enough to feel intimate, these family gardens have been planted in a quintessential English style. The series of smaller gardens open out into an avenue leading up to a beautiful perennial wild flower meadow, a haven for wildlife and native plants. Top Tip: The elegant Rill Garden is a modern, peaceful water garden and a nice contrast to the rest of the gardens.
SUTTON PARK Sutton-on-the-Forest, York 01347 810249 www.statelyhome.co.uk A former winner of the Yorkshire In Bloom competition, these gardens have something for everyone. Visitors can meander down the series of terraces to the lily pool, the Edwardian Rock Garden provides an ideal habitat for a ferns, and an adventure playground awaits the kids. Top Tip: A tulip tree was planted in the grounds by Prince George, later Duke of Kent, in 1933 and is one of the stately home’s several royal connections.
SWINTON PARK Masham, Ripon 01765 680900 www.swintonpark.com Guests are welcome to walk through the grounds throughout the year and will encounter features such as the rockery to the west of the castle, ponds and the Top Lake where visitors will find a grotto, several druid’s seats and a summer house in the middle of the island. Over 60 varieties of fruit and vegetables have been planted alongside a wide range of herbs in the Walled Garden. Must Not Miss: Quarry Gill Bridge forms a dramatic part of the walk round the parkland and affords views down the ravine, and of a stream cascading down into several pools.
THORP PERROW ARBORETUM Bedale 01677 425323 www.thorpperrow.com A walk around this arboretum takes you on a journey around the continents with trees and shrubs with origins in North America, Chile, China, Japan and Europe. There are tree trails, a nature trail, a large lake, a picnic area and a children’s play area. Later in the year the autumn provides stunning colours. Top Tip: Through the summer, the venue hosts an array of events from evening theatre to children’s trails.
Minster Yard, York 01904 624247 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ treasurers-house-york With views of York Minster, this beautiful blue and white colour-themed walled garden is simple, classical and symmetrical, and in-keeping with the elegance of the house. In the summer, enjoy the soothing blue hues of irises and delphiniums, admire the statues and enjoy the tranquil haven – no motorised tools are used by the gardeners, just hand tools. Top Tip: The garden is free to enjoy on open days but opening times vary, so it’s advised to check these before you go.
WENTWORTH CASTLE GARDENS Lowe Lane, Stainborough, Barnsley 01226 776040 www.wentworthcastle.org The structure and design of the enchanting gardens at Wentworth Castle reflect the different periods of the garden’s history and the passions of the Wentworth family through the generations. Among the many highlights are collections of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias, a historic deer park and the Victorian Flower Garden, known locally as the Secret Garden. Must Not Miss: The impressive Victorian conservatory was recently restored and opened to visitors to display rare plants from historical planting lists.
‘Among the many highlights are collections of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias, a historic deer park and the Victorian Flower Garden’
YORK GATE GARDEN Back Church Lane, Leeds 0113 267 8240 www.perennial.org.uk Tucked away behind the ancient church in Adel, the one-acre York Gate garden is now owned and cared for by the charity Perennial. The garden is divided into rooms by yew and beech hedges and has a dell with half-hidden pathways and a stream, a Herb Garden with a summerhouse and a more contemporary garden with summerflowering perennials and grasses. Must Not Miss: The White Garden with roses, peonies and Campanulas adds a touch of modernity.
– Wentworth Castle Gardens
YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK West Bretton, Wakefield 01924 832631 www.ysp.co.uk The beautiful 18th century parkland of the Bretton estate spreads across 500 acres of woodland, formal gardens, fields, hills and lakes. Changing exhibitions and projects are displayed in the park, an international centre for contemporary sculpture. Top Tip: Take in the scenic vistas of the valley, lakes and 18th century estate buildings and bridges.
Wentworth Castle Gardens
SEWERBY HALL AND GARDENS
STILLINGFLEET LODGE GARDENS AND NURSERIES
TREASURER’S HOUSE GARDEN
York Gate Garden
Malton 01944 759111 www.scampston.co.uk Celebrated plantsman Piet Oudolf designed this contemporary garden, reputed to be one of the finest in North Yorkshire. The spectacular perennial flower meadow is filled with a mix of Salvias, Echinaceas, Achilleas, Monardas and grasses where bold reds, yellows, oranges and purples mesmerise visitors. For a tranquil stroll, walk the cascade circuit leading up to the pretty palladian bridge and old ice house. Must Not Miss: Take a look in the newly restored Victorian conservatory
about the gardens can join the head gardener for a tour.
Scampston Walled Garden
SCAMPSTON WALLED GARDEN
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Burton Agnes Hall And Gardens
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Near Leyburn 01969 623981 www.boltoncastle.co.uk These gardens were reinstated in 1994 following research into their medieval background. The two Walled Gardens in front of the castle and the Herb Garden, containing culinary and medicinal herbs, both take influence from this period. In the Rose Garden, more than 25 varieties of rose bush promise delightful sights and smells. Must Not Miss: A small vineyard has recently been established with a frosthardy and modern hybrid variety of red grape which should (in time) produce up to 1,000 bottles of wine each year.
BREEZY KNEES GARDENS Common Lane, Warthill 01904 488800 www.breezyknees.co.uk A riot of colour bursts from the Cottage Garden, the vibrant borders and the meadow at this award-winning, 15-acre garden on the outskirts of York. The tranquility of the Pond and Shade Garden is something to be savoured while the September and Conifer Gardens shine in their own right as the summer draws to a close. Top Tip: The regularly updated collection of perennials, including rare plants, will ensure you can find an original plant to take home.
BRODSWORTH HALL AND GARDENS Brodsworth, Doncaster 0370 333 1181 www.english-heritage.org.uk Take a stroll through these splendid Victorian-style gardens and enjoy the formal gardens and pleasure grounds with its fountain centre piece. New displays
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Burton Agnes, Driffield 01262 490324 www.burtonagnes.com Delightful colour-schemed gardens, sumptuous shrub roses, herbaceous plants, and a neo-Elizabethan-style Walled Garden with over four thousand different plant species all provide horticultural treats for visitors. Both adults and children are free to play chess, draughts and snakes and ladders on the life-sized game boards. Must Not Miss: Children can look for giant caterpillars, squirrels, spiders and other creepy crawlies along the woodland sculpture walk.
CASTLE HOWARD York 01653 648333 www.castlehoward.co.uk Relax in these expansive gardens dotted with temples, lakes, statues and fountains, and enjoy the seasonal displays of magnolias, azaleas, roses and delphiniums. In the Woodland Garden, you’ll discover a fine collection of rhododendrons which bloom in early summer, and a woodland trail for young children. Top Tip: Take a boat trip on the Great Lake to get wonderful views of the 18th century house.
CONSTABLE BURTON HALL GARDENS Leyburn 01677 450 428 www.constableburton.com Having evolved over time from the formal Elizabethan period to the current informal layout, these gardens and woodland are a must for garden and nature-lovers alike. Canopy trees such as the sweeping cedar of Lebanon and a majestic deodar cedar provide shelter for scented magnolia, Acer japonica and Acer palmatum. Top Tip: The Stream Garden with reflection ponds and large architectural plants is a pleasant spot to enjoy peaceful contemplation.
DUNCOMBE PARK Helmsley, York 01439 770213 www.duncombepark.com The 35 acres of landscaped gardens here contain temples, sweeping terraces and
DUTCH HOUSE GARDENS Mill Green Farm, Crayke, York 01347 889431 www.dutchhouseyorkshire.com The Dutch House Gardens, designed by Dutchman Sjaak Kastelijn, are set in the Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is an exciting wildlife garden with perennial borders, a Vegetable Garden, a wildflower meadow, mature trees and shrubs and a kid’s play area. The garden, with the river Foss meandering through, is a natural habitat for birds and wildlife. Top Tip: In the converted farm building, there’s a contemporary art gallery with changing exhibitions.
EAST RIDDLESDEN HALL GARDENS Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley 01535 607075 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall A profusion of bright colour greets visitors to these glorious gardens, intimate in size and style. In the warmer months, the formal garden is full of cottage garden plants, such as delphiniums, irises and geraniums, plus a selection of old English roses. The herb border was traditionally used as the Hall’s medicine cabinet and children can let off steam in the play areas, explore the grass maze and discover the Hobbit House. Top Tip: There’s no better place to spot wildlife than at the bird hide, well-visited by all manner of small feathered friends.
‘A profusion of bright colour greets visitors to these glorious gardens, intimate in size and style’ – East Riddlesden Hall Gardens
THE FORBIDDEN CORNER Tupgill Park Estate, Leyburn 01969 640638 www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk Lose yourself in a labyrinth of tunnels, chambers and follies in the four-acre Forbidden Corner. It’s a wonderland waiting to be explored – skip across stepping stones, wander along winding paths, and watch out for water features. You can even go underground in this topsy turvy world which provides a family day out with a difference. Top Tip: Pre-booking is absolutely essential here, just call or go online.
Beningbrough Hall garden (c) National Trust Images-Stephen Robson
BOLTON CASTLE GARDENS
BURTON AGNES HALL AND GARDENS
woodlands while the walks in the river valley and meadows offer stunning vistas of the distant moors. While exploring the gardens you may come across the Doric Temple surrounded by wild flowers and the scented Secret Garden around the old conservatory. Must Not Miss: The wonderful views of Helmsley and the valley of the river Rye from the Ionic Temple.
Brodsworth Hall And Gardens
Beningbrough, York 01904 472027 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbroughhall Surrounding a baroque mansion, these year-round gardens provide picturepostcard views with riverside walks, ancient trees and hidden wildlife. High summer is the time for the Mediterranean blooms of the Italian border, and the dahlias of the south border excel in late summer. The wilderness play area will keep children entertained. Top Tip: Take in the views from the terrace while sampling food from the Walled Garden restaurant.
include the Woodland Garden, restored alpine beds and the Fern Dell, planted with many rare ferns. Must Not Miss: The beautiful Rose Dell contains species of wild and native roses which come into full bloom and scent in the summer.
Burton Agnes Hall And Gardens
BENINGBROUGH HALL AND GARDENS
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FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL WATER GARDEN Ripon 01765 608888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey One of only two UK gardens to merit World Heritage Site status, the Georgian formal layout leads to a deer park, home to red, fallow and Sika deer, pheasants, swans, bats and ancient trees for the nature lover. In the ornamental Georgian water garden, cascades flow into a serene landscape of mirror-like ponds surrounded by statues, temples, lawns, follies and the Abbey ruin. Must Not Miss: Enjoy a walk through the medieval deer park with its many crisscrossing paths.
Helmsley Walled Garden
GODDARDS GARDEN
‘The double herbaceous border is alive with colour and a haven for birds and butterflies during the summer months’ – Newby Hall And Gardens
Tadcaster Road, York 01904 771930 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/goddards Four acres of gardens, modelled by renowned designer George Dillistone to complement the Arts and Craftsstyle house, sitting just outside the centre of York. The series of yew-hedged garden rooms include formal terraces of perennials, including lavender in summer, and there are intricate water features, rockeries, lawns, hidden pathways and an original glass house still used by the gardening team. Top Tip: Goddards is the former home of chocolatier Noel Goddard Terry, inventor of the Chocolate Orange.
HAREWOOD HOUSE Harewood, Leeds 0113 218 1010 www.harewood.org Head Gardener Trevor Nicholson tends to the gardens at Harewood including the archery border, the terrace and the Walled Garden. The Himalayan Gardens were opened by Alan Titchmarsh and are a plant-hunter’s paradise, with paths through a gorge and a bridge across the beck to take visitors on an exploration of plants. Children are free to frolic on the slides, swings and climbing frames in the adventure playground. Must Not Miss: Harewood’s renowned Bird Garden is home to exotic species including penguins and flamingos.
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Newby Hall And Gardens
Ripley Castle And Gardens
RHS HARLOW CARR Crag Lane, Harrogate 01423 565418 www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Harlow-Carr From woodland to wildflowers and sculptures to inspirational planting, RHS
Harlow Carr has it all. Explore the Alpine Zone at the top of the valley to see the collection of more than 2,000 plants and learn about habitat conservation. Two centuries of gardening history are displayed through the seven gardens which take you through the fashions and techniques over the period. Top Tip: Visitors will notice a more floral theme to the Streamside Garden, with Primulas and Japanese water iris looking particularly lovely during the summer.
HELMSLEY WALLED GARDEN Cleveland Way, Helmsley, York 01439 771427 www.helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk This five-acre garden is set against the backdrop of Helmsley Castle and provided the fruit and vegetables for the Feversham family in the 18th century. Admire the fruit trees climbing up the walls and the newly created clematis garden showcasing more than 150 different varieties. Top Tip: Pop into the restored Victorian glass houses, home to a collection of vines and salad crops grown for the adjoining Vinehouse Café.
KIPLIN HALL GARDENS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS Near Scorton, Richmond 01748 818178 www.kiplinhall.co.uk Head Gardener Chris Baker is working to restore these once-neglected gardens to their former glory. Enjoy the newly planted White Garden, the fragrant Rose and Sensory Gardens and the woodland walk, which provides idyllic spots for a picnic. The 18th century Walled Garden has been rejuvenated with the planting of fruit trees and vegetables. Top Tip: Nature lovers can take the milelong route round the lake where herons, swans, great-crested grebe, oystercatchers and lapwing can be spotted.
NEWBY HALL AND GARDENS Ripon 0845 4504068 www.newbyhall.com First created in the 1920s, these are gardens for all seasons, with colour and interest throughout the year. Discover the peace and quiet of Sylvia’s Garden filled with soft white, pink and purple flowers, the Autumn Garden and the Tropical Garden. The double herbaceous border is alive with colour and a haven for birds and butterflies during the summer months. Must Not Miss: Newby holds the National Collection of Cornus, made up of 30 species of stunning flowering dogwoods.
NOSTELL PRIORY AND PARKLAND Doncaster Road, Nostell, near Wakefield 01924 863892 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nostell-priory Take in the recently planted orchard or the formal Rose Garden and wander through the parklands to the Obelisk Lodge or through Joiner’s Wood in the 300-acre pleasure grounds of this Georgian country house. For the children, there is an adventure playground. Top Tip: The lakeside walks will take you to the serene Robert Adam boathouse.
NUNNINGTON HALL GARDENS Nunnington, near York 01439 748283 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nunnington-hall On the banks of the River Rye, the gardens of this period manor house are perfect to spend the day strolling around. Horticultural enthusiasts will enjoy the renowned organic Walled Garden, and the informal planting amongst topiary within its walls. Children can play giant chess, muck about in the mud pie kitchen and greet the flamboyant resident peacocks. Must Not Miss: The orchards planted with wild flower meadows are beautiful in the summer.
PARCEVALL HALL GARDENS Skyreholme, Near Appletreewick 01756 720311 www.parcevallhallgardens.co.uk Situated in the Yorkshire Dales, Parcevall Hall Gardens is unusual in that despite its elevation, it’s home to a variety of plants, shrubs and trees rarely seen at this height. With a variety of soils, rhododendrons and camellias can flourish alongside limestone outcrops. Must Not Miss: Take a walk through the gardens rising up the hillside to catch the impressive views of Simon’s Seat and Wharfedale.
RIPLEY CASTLE AND GARDENS Ripley, Harrogate 01423 770152 www.ripleycastle.co.uk A traditional Victorian walled garden with an extensive collection of rare vegetables from the Henry Doubleday Research Association and 25 acres of lakes are just some of the attractions in these magnificent gardens. Children can also delight in the play trail, an informative hunt around the pleasure grounds. Must Not Miss: Enjoy the riotous colours and scents of the hyacinth collection.
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Church Lane, Sewerby, Bridlington 01262 673769 www.sewerbyhall.co.uk Set atop a dramatic clifftop, the views of Bridlington are something to behold from the 50 acres of magnificent early 19th century parkland. The nautical-themed adventure playground will appeal to children while the woodland walk, the formal Rose and Walled Gardens, and the intricate deer wood carving in the Pleasure Garden will please adults. Must Not Miss: The magnificent monkey puzzle trees, reputed to be amongst the oldest in England.
SHEFFIELD WINTER GARDEN 90 Surrey Street, Sheffield 0114 2736895 www.sheffield.gov.uk This is one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in Britain during the last hundred years and forms a green oasis in the heart of the city. More than 2,500 plants from around the world, selected for their suitability to cold temperatures, come together in this building the size of 5,000 greenhouses to create a stunning display. Top Tip: The Winter Garden offers a welcome stop for coffee and light refreshments and also houses the Bessemer Gallery.
SLEDMERE HOUSE AND GARDENS Sledmere, Driffield 01377 236637 www.sledmerehouse.com Plant lovers as well as wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive range of plants and naturalistic gardening techniques employed here that help attract many different birds, butterflies and bees. A mixture of home-grown and more unusual plants found growing in the garden are on sale in the courtyard. Top Tip: Those who wish to learn more
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Stewart Lane, Stillingfleet, York 01904 728506 www.stillingfleetlodgenurseries.co.uk Large enough to while away a couple of hours exploring, yet small enough to feel intimate, these family gardens have been planted in a quintessential English style. The series of smaller gardens open out into an avenue leading up to a beautiful perennial wild flower meadow, a haven for wildlife and native plants. Top Tip: The elegant Rill Garden is a modern, peaceful water garden and a nice contrast to the rest of the gardens.
SUTTON PARK Sutton-on-the-Forest, York 01347 810249 www.statelyhome.co.uk A former winner of the Yorkshire In Bloom competition, these gardens have something for everyone. Visitors can meander down the series of terraces to the lily pool, the Edwardian Rock Garden provides an ideal habitat for a ferns, and an adventure playground awaits the kids. Top Tip: A tulip tree was planted in the grounds by Prince George, later Duke of Kent, in 1933 and is one of the stately home’s several royal connections.
SWINTON PARK Masham, Ripon 01765 680900 www.swintonpark.com Guests are welcome to walk through the grounds throughout the year and will encounter features such as the rockery to the west of the castle, ponds and the Top Lake where visitors will find a grotto, several druid’s seats and a summer house in the middle of the island. Over 60 varieties of fruit and vegetables have been planted alongside a wide range of herbs in the Walled Garden. Must Not Miss: Quarry Gill Bridge forms a dramatic part of the walk round the parkland and affords views down the ravine, and of a stream cascading down into several pools.
THORP PERROW ARBORETUM Bedale 01677 425323 www.thorpperrow.com A walk around this arboretum takes you on a journey around the continents with trees and shrubs with origins in North America, Chile, China, Japan and Europe. There are tree trails, a nature trail, a large lake, a picnic area and a children’s play area. Later in the year the autumn provides stunning colours. Top Tip: Through the summer, the venue hosts an array of events from evening theatre to children’s trails.
Minster Yard, York 01904 624247 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ treasurers-house-york With views of York Minster, this beautiful blue and white colour-themed walled garden is simple, classical and symmetrical, and in-keeping with the elegance of the house. In the summer, enjoy the soothing blue hues of irises and delphiniums, admire the statues and enjoy the tranquil haven – no motorised tools are used by the gardeners, just hand tools. Top Tip: The garden is free to enjoy on open days but opening times vary, so it’s advised to check these before you go.
WENTWORTH CASTLE GARDENS Lowe Lane, Stainborough, Barnsley 01226 776040 www.wentworthcastle.org The structure and design of the enchanting gardens at Wentworth Castle reflect the different periods of the garden’s history and the passions of the Wentworth family through the generations. Among the many highlights are collections of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias, a historic deer park and the Victorian Flower Garden, known locally as the Secret Garden. Must Not Miss: The impressive Victorian conservatory was recently restored and opened to visitors to display rare plants from historical planting lists.
‘Among the many highlights are collections of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias, a historic deer park and the Victorian Flower Garden’
YORK GATE GARDEN Back Church Lane, Leeds 0113 267 8240 www.perennial.org.uk Tucked away behind the ancient church in Adel, the one-acre York Gate garden is now owned and cared for by the charity Perennial. The garden is divided into rooms by yew and beech hedges and has a dell with half-hidden pathways and a stream, a Herb Garden with a summerhouse and a more contemporary garden with summerflowering perennials and grasses. Must Not Miss: The White Garden with roses, peonies and Campanulas adds a touch of modernity.
– Wentworth Castle Gardens
YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK West Bretton, Wakefield 01924 832631 www.ysp.co.uk The beautiful 18th century parkland of the Bretton estate spreads across 500 acres of woodland, formal gardens, fields, hills and lakes. Changing exhibitions and projects are displayed in the park, an international centre for contemporary sculpture. Top Tip: Take in the scenic vistas of the valley, lakes and 18th century estate buildings and bridges.
Wentworth Castle Gardens
SEWERBY HALL AND GARDENS
STILLINGFLEET LODGE GARDENS AND NURSERIES
TREASURER’S HOUSE GARDEN
York Gate Garden
Malton 01944 759111 www.scampston.co.uk Celebrated plantsman Piet Oudolf designed this contemporary garden, reputed to be one of the finest in North Yorkshire. The spectacular perennial flower meadow is filled with a mix of Salvias, Echinaceas, Achilleas, Monardas and grasses where bold reds, yellows, oranges and purples mesmerise visitors. For a tranquil stroll, walk the cascade circuit leading up to the pretty palladian bridge and old ice house. Must Not Miss: Take a look in the newly restored Victorian conservatory
about the gardens can join the head gardener for a tour.
Scampston Walled Garden
SCAMPSTON WALLED GARDEN
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