“England’s Floral District”, the Harrogate District overflows with beautiful parks, floral displays and gardens, both public and those belonging to historic houses, floral displays, castles and abbeys, floral displays.
This strong floral reputation has been verified over and over again with towns and villages throughout the District gaining accolades in national and international competitions, for floral displays, including ‘Britain in Bloom’ and ‘Entente Florale’ – the latest award being Harrogate judged the winner of the large town category of Britain in Bloom 1992 Competition and was runner-up in 1997.
Bebra Gardens
Conyngham Hall Grounds
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Montpellier Gardens
Newby Hall Gardens
Norton Conyers
Ripley Castle Gardens
Royal Horticultural Society Garden – Harlow Carr
Spa Gardens
Stockeld Park
The Stray
Valley Gardens
BEBRA GARDENS
Bebra Gardens is a small, attractive park, nestling at the foot of Knaresborough Castle, providing a haven from the hustle and bustle of the town centre. The gardens provide areas of established trees and conifers, shrub and rose beds and are a home to a variety of wildlife. The Gardens were named in honour of the town’s links with Bebra in Germany, but were formerly known as Moat Gardens because of their proximity to the Knaresborough Castle moat.
Pictures & Location | Walks
CONYNGHAM HALL GROUNDS
Typical British entertainment featuring tennis courts, pitch and putt, woodland and riverside walks. Boating facilities close by. Conyngham Hall is surrounded by an area of open parkland offering leisure activities, woodland and riverside walks within the beautiful surroundings of Conyngham Hall.
Pictures & Location | Walks
FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL WATER GARDEN
Situated on the banks of the River Skell, the Abbey ruins provide the dramatic focal point of the 18th century landscape garden at Studley Royal, one of the few surviving examples of a Georgian Green garden, graced with lakes, ponds, temples, statues, bridges and cascades. Studley Royal Water Garden is being restored to resemble that originally planned in the 18th century. Open all year (except 24/25 Dec and Fridays in Nov, Dec and Jan).
Nr Ripon
Pictures & Location | Walks
MONTPELLIER GARDENS
One of the exclusive shopping streets in Harrogate, serious trouble for your wallet. It has a delightful floral area running the length of Montpellier Parade.
Pictures & Location | Walks
NEWBY HALL GARDENS
Superb Adam house containing many lovely treasures including Gobelin tapestries, classical sculpture, porcelain and furniture of a very high standard. Set in 40 acres of orchard, tropical, autumn, rose and rock gardens. Children’s adventure garden, woodland walk, miniature railway, shop, restaurant and picnic area. Open April-Sept. Admission charge.
Nr Ripon (01423) 322583
Pictures & Location | Walk
NORTON CONYERS
Home of the Lord Grahams since 1624. Family pictures, furniture and costumes on display. Visited by Charlotte Bronte. The house is believed to be an original of Thornfield Hall in ‘Jane Eyre’. Beautiful 18th century walled garden with orangery and herbaceous borders. With Stuart and Georgian additions the house is of the late medieval period.
Wath, Nr Ripon (01765) 640333 / 640601
Pictures & Location | Walks
RIPLEY CASTLE GARDENS
Ingilby family home for over 600 years set amongst deer park, lakes and walled gardens created by ‘Capability’ Brown. The recent addition of two major national collections – the Tropical and Fern collection and the National Hyacinth collection – turn the village, castle and gardens into a sea of blooms.
Ripley (01423) 770152
Pictures & Location | Walks
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY GARDEN – HARLOW CARR
These gardens and flower beds, include 68 of the most beautifully landscaped acres in the North of England. Harlow Carr, Headquarters of the Northern Horticultural Society who specialise in growing plants suitable for Northern climes, also features the Museum of Gardening, the Garden Room restaurant, a fine plant centre and gift shop, and a model village. Open daily 9.30am-6pm or dusk if earlier.
Crag Lane, Harrogate(01423) 565418
Pictures & Location | Walks
SPA GARDENS
Set among the flower beds are more flower beds, a bowling green, putting lawn and a Victorian bandstand where concerts take place on summer Sunday afternoons.
Ripon
Pictures & Location | Walks
STOCKELD PARK
A small country mansion set amidst an extensive rural estate of farms, woods and parklands on the edge of The Vale of York and one of the finest examples of the work of the celebrated architect James Paine and a splendid example of the palladian style. Among the many garden features are a culinary and medicinal herb garden, a wall of Wisteria sinenis, and an arboretum containing sweet chestnut trees at least 200 years old.
Nr Wetherby (01937) 586101
Pictures & Location | Walks
THE STRAY
In spring the crocuses and daffodils come into bloom in the flower beds, and it is then that The Stray is at its most stunning. Also on the Stray lies the Tewit Well, discovered in 1571 by William Slingsby. With over 200 acres of resplendent lawns used either for sport, picnics, special events or just passing the time of day, looking at the flower beds.
Harrogate
Pictures & Location | Walks
VALLEY GARDENS
Acres of floral displays in flower beds, leading into beautiful pine woods containing many rhododendron bushes. Model boating lake, paddling pool, playground, tennis courts, pitch and putt, mini golf. Restored sun pavilion and colonnade. Summer band concerts. Open daily.
