Helmsley Walled Gardens

A visit to Helmsley Walled Garden is a nice way to spend a few hours on a spring or summer day.

Originally laid out in  1759, the walled garden at Helmsely sits beside Duncombe Park and Helmsley Castle.

Around the time that Rosella Cottage was being built in Rosedale Abbey in 1850, the Helmsley Walled Garden already contained glasshouses for growing exotic fruits not normally found in Yorkshire.

There were about 20 full time gardeners working within its walls, and providing produce for the Earls of Feversham in Duncome Park.

But sadly, in 1914 the gardeners responded to the call to serve their country in World War I.

And not one of them returned.

And the second Earl of Feversham was also killed in the war in 1916.

After this tragic period, Duncombe Park was let out as a girl’s school in the early 1920′s.

And the garden was abandoned.

But thankfully, when the school’s lease expired in 1980,  the Feversham family moved back into Duncombe Park and began to restore the walled gardens.

In the 1990′s it was felt that the Walled Garden should be used for local people.

Today the mission of Helmsley Walled Garden is to conserve and restore the fabric of this historically important walled garden and to return it to full productivity.

So the garden is now conserving old, rare and endangered garden plants, using environmentally sustainable and where possible fully organic techniques. 

The garden offers many different services to a wide range of people and continues to grow and develop.

As a charity the Helmsley Walled Garden has some principle aims.

The garden is a historic site demonstrated most effectively by the greenhouses with their collection of vines.

You'll also see produce being grown, trained fruit trees and extensive flower borders and even some old fashioned cottage flowers.

Another aim is the provision of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, a holistic care model that allows anyone with any disability either permanent or temporary to benefit from the restorative qualities of gardening.

The Gardens has a fully inclusive community of gardeners.

Another aim is to promote gardening and people’s enjoyment of a garden.

The Walled Garden at Helmsley is open from March through to 31st October 2013.

Opening times are 930am to 5pm and the price of admission is £5.50 for adults with children entering for free.  Dogs are also welcome if kept on a lead.

Rosella Luxury Holiday Cottage

Rosella is a lovely self-catering holiday home in Rosedale Abbey.

We're focussed on the holiday needs of busy couples wanting a break from routine.  We have a cosy lounge, a king-size bed in a big bedroom with vaulted-ceiling, and a lovely en-suite. 

With a village-centre location, it's easy walking distance to the village shop, cafes, and two pubs with great restaurants. 

Built in 1850 but now completely refurbished, Rosella offers a luxury break in the heart of the North York Moors.  To view availability and for bookings, just click here.