Newby Hall set to reopen

When visitors return to one of Yorkshire’s most famous gardens in April, they will get the first rare-plant-filled glimpse of the major restoration of a historic Edwardian rock garden.

Newby Hall’s expansive rock garden, thought to be one of the largest of its kind in the UK – is undergoing an extensive five-year refurbishment and the initial phase is now complete. Boasting a waterfall, hidden nooks and even a miniature aquaduct, the rock garden will come into its own when scores of rare and unusual plants come into full bloom.

Large architectural rocks have been unearthed and overgrown foliage has been replaced with a wide variety of unusual plants.

The rock garden dates back to before the First World War and measures just over an acre;  originally designed with the help of visionary Edwardian plantswoman Ellen Willmott. Now after over a century, many of its plants, shrubs and trees have outgrown their space and the specialist work by the garden team is being carried out to restore it to its former glory.

The rock garden is not the only part of Newby’s jewels getting a revamp. The dazzling dahlia beds, now with dozens of new varieties, will be getting their first showing this year. Delicate fritillaries, oxslips and tulips have been planted under apple and quince trees in the Orchard Garden to give a special late spring display and Newby’s famous 172 metre-long double herbaceous border is on track to give a real flower-powered punch all season long.

The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show will be held in the grounds at Newby Hall between 17th to 19th September and show goers will get free access to the gardens as part of their admission ticket. The season at Newby Hall concludes with Apple Day and the Apple Throwing Championships on 3rd October.

For the latest information on visiting Newby Hall please see: https://www.newbyhall.com/

Photo credit: Pictured centre above, head gardener Phil Cormie in the partly-restored rock garden, credit: Charlotte Graham.