Earlier this year, our Managing Director sat down with Luxe Magazine to discuss the award-winning Gardens at Wynyard Hall. It’s been five years since The Gardens opened at Wynyard Hall. What developments have been made since the official opening?
The first phase of The Gardens development was the Rose Garden, which opened in August 2015. The Rose Garden is filled with over 3,000 David Austin Roses and was recently named by David Austin as one of his top three rose gardens in the UK. It also houses the Farm Shop & Café, which serves local artisan food and drink.
The second phase of The Gardens’ development was The Edible Garden, which opened in September 2016 and now supplies the kitchens at Wynyard Hall with a bounty of fruit and veg all year round. The Edible Garden is also home to The Glasshouse, a beautiful Victorian-inspired glass structure brimming with beautiful gifts and homeware.
In early 2018 we started to restore the temple structures around the Woodland Walk path, which opened to the public later that year along with The Wild Garden. 2019 was a great year for The Gardens. With the full development being used for the first time, it attracted around 70,000 visitors.
How have you enjoyed watching The Gardens grow?
The Gardens get better every year and take on a completely different look each season. From late spring to autumn, The Gardens are at their best, though with the Woodland Walk now open there’s plenty to see and do all year round. It’s a real family destination.
You’ve been at the heart of The Gardens since they launched in 2015. Where did you find your inspiration?
Inspiration for the Rose Garden came from my father, but the vision for the Farm Shop and The Glasshouse came from regular visits to Daylesford, Petersham Nurseries and farm shops in and around Harrogate.
The Rose Garden is particularly special to your family. What can you tell us about this?
It was my father’s vision, but I had the pleasure of designing it with our landscape gardeners, Alistair Baldwin and the team at Wynyard. Our unique selection of roses is one of the best in the country and is an amazing place to visit.
What will visitors find in The Gardens this season?
The chance to explore a new outside space. It’s in full bloom, so a truly beautiful place to be at the moment. Towards the end of spring the roses will start to open up. There are over 3,000 David Austin roses in the Walled Garden – they are the finest quality and we have a variety of species and colours.
The Glasshouse is a beautiful venue of its own. How can it be used as an events space for future plans?
The Glasshouse, which can host up to 40 guests, hosts everything from baby showers and birthday parties, to anniversary dinners and corporate meetings. Afternoon tea is incredibly popular, though we do also offer a ‘Best of British’ buffet.
What can you tell us about the sustainable business plan for The Gardens, The Glasshouse and the wider estate?
The main aim of most of our commercial activities is to sustain this fabulous historic asset and wider parkland. We have restored The Gardens to their former glory, but this comes at a huge cost. A team of gardeners work all year round to maintain our high-quality standards. We charge entry to The Gardens (£6 per adult for a 12-month pass) and deliver a range of events across the year to secure the long-term sustainability of the estate.
The Gardens at Wynyard Hall are now open for the public. For just £6 guests will be able to enjoy to the Walled Garden, Edible Garden, Wild Garden and Woodland Walk, plus the Farm Shop and Café for a full year with unlimited visits – exclusions apply.
Find out more at wynyardhall.co.uk/the-gardens
