Gardens > England > North Yorkshire > Helmsley Walled Garden

Helmsley Walled Garden

A 5 acre kitchen garden dating from 1758. It was abandoned during the 1970s and has been extensively restored since 1994. There are Victorian glasshouses, fruit trees, vines, a peony garden, dipping pond and over 250 varieties of clematis.

Head Gardener's Comment

Enjoy five tranquil acres of flowers, fruit and vegetables at Helmsley Walled Garden. Vibrant colour is everywhere in the Hot Border whilst feature gardens include our Clematis Garden with over 150 different varieties, Physic Garden and the Cottage Garden. Fruit trees are a speciality with many old and unusual varieties in the Orchard and on the walls. Produce from them and the Kitchen Garden go into the delicious dishes made in the Vine House Café.

The Garden is fully accessible, there is plenty of seating around the Garden to stop and relax. Dogs are welcome.

Photograph © Helmsley Walled Garden

History

Built in 1759, Helmsley Walled Garden is a five acre garden sitting beneath the imposing ruins of Helmsley Castle. It provided the vegetables, fruit and flowers for the table of Duncombe Park until just after World War 1 when it was leased as market garden. Abandoned after it closed its doors for the final time in 1984, it fell into dereliction. Restoration started in 1994 and since then the Garden has gone from strength to strength through the dedication and care of staff and volunteers.

Plants of note

Heritage apple collection including nearly 100 Yorkshire varieties;
Collection of Victorian indoor vines displayed inside a restored Vine House;
Clematis Garden, iris collection, peony plantings