Gardens and Green Spaces

Every city needs its green spaces. Somewhere to walk in peace, take stock, reflect on the day, escape the office, enjoy the sunshine, eat a sandwich, jog round. The parks, gardens and green spaces of York come in all shapes, sizes and styles, and form an integral part of the city’s heritage and magnificent architectural landscapes.

Museum Gardens

With the city walls forming one border, the River Ouse another, and the Abbey ruins another, this city garden occupies an idyllic location. The land was originally granted to the Benedictine monks in 1088 on which to build the Abbey of St Mary, and its Early English and Romanesque ruins still dominate the garden. Other architectural features around the garden include the 12th century Gatehall, once the main entrance to the Abbey grounds, and the medieval half-timbered Hospitium alongside the river, once a guesthouse for visitors to the Abbey.

In 1827 the land was given to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, on which to build a museum and create a botanical garden. The grand Yorkshire Museum building now overlooks the gardens and holds much of York’s Roman findings. The octagonal observatory was built in 1832, its revolving pyramidal roof is thought to have been designed by J Smeaton of Eddystone lighthouse fame.

New Walk

One of Britain’s first riverside walks, the New Walk was originally created when walking for pleasure was a completely new idea. Now it has been restored. The tree-lined avenue follows the River Ouse for about a mile and, using the new Millennium Bridge, pedestrians can cross the river and return on the opposite bank, making a walking route of around an hour – perfect for a city stroll!

The Millennium Bridge, a footbridge and cycle path, which opened in 2001, joins New Walk on the north bank of the Ouse with Terry Avenue on the south bank. Its opening provided the vital link in the White Rose Cycle Route, a National Cycle Network route between Hull and Middlesbrough. It has also created a pleasant, traffic-free shortcut from the city centre to Rowntree Park and the Racecourse.

Rowntree Park, Terry Avenue

Frederick Rowntree designed Rowntree Park in the same area as a memorial to the workers of the Rowntree factory who fought in the First World War. It occupies 30 acres on the south bank of the River Ouse, designed around a large lake, with grassland, trees and colourful flowerbeds. The park also offers children’s play areas and sporting facilities such as bowling, tennis courts and a basketball court.

Dean’s Park and Treasurer’s House

In the shadow of the great Minster, Dean’s Park is a handsome, open lawn with walkways leading to Minster Yard, where the delightfully secret little garden of 17th century Treasurer’s House (owned by the National Trust) is tucked away.

Clifford’s Tower and Castle Green

One of the most familiar landmarks of York, Clifford’s Tower sits on top of a steep, grassy mound in front of York Castle Museum. This green space provides an excellent site for a variety of events and historical re-enactments. A climb up the steps to the top is rewarded by panoramic views across the city.

The banks of the River Ouse

Walks and boat rides along the River Ouse offer a wonderful feeling of space and fresh air in the city as well as a different view of the city’s historic buildings, such as that of the impressive Guildhall.

Pleasure boats cruise along the Ouse to Bishopthorpe Palace just east of the city centre, residence of the Archbishops of York since the 13th century. The river affords superb views of the palace and grounds, which are also open to the public and well worth a visit.

Bishopthorpe Palace Gardens

Home to the Archbishop of York for over 750 years, Bishopthorpe Palace is surrounded by nine acres of beautiful grounds - idyllic location on the river Ouse. The gardens were established as long ago as the 11th century, and were formally laid out around 1700. Historical features include the fishpond, now called Warren pond, which dates back to 1255, on the terrace beside the river, and next to it the remains of a folly. The garden also contains rare trees and spectacular displays of spring flowers and rhododendrons. A recent addition is the Garden of Remembrance for Diana Princess of Wales. Bishopthorpe Palace, Tel: 01904 707021, www.bishopthorpepalace.co.uk

York’s churches provide a haven of peace and tranquillity in the midst of the busy city. In particular the lovely Holy Trinity Church on Goodramgate is set in its own, small grounds, hidden away behind buildings and reached through a little gate next to Lady Row, York’s oldest row of houses.

OUT OF TOWN

Outside York, the countryside is renowned for its grand historic houses and gardens.

Castle Howard

Fountains, follies, lakes, bridges, statuary and temples are all part of the heroic landscape of these gardens, designed by leading early 18th century architects John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor. Study days are held in the gardens, and the Arboretum is linked to Kew Gardens. A new Plant Centre opened in Spring 2004, set within the Walled Garden. Distance From York – 15 minutes by car. York, YO60 7DA, Tel: 01653 648444, www.castlehoward.co.uk

Harewood House

Harewood is renowned for its magnificent Capability Brown landscaped gardens, which include the Serpentine lake, walled garden, woodland and a fascinating bird garden, a sanctuary for rare and protected species of birds. Distance From York – 30 minutes by car. Leeds, LS17 9LQ, Tel: 0113 2181010, www.harewood.org

Beningbrough Hall and Gardens

The Award-winning landscaped gardens contain beautiful flower borders and a revitalised walled garden with one of the largest collections of top fruit in the North of England. There is also an American garden, Victorian laundry and potting shed and a wilderness play area for children. Distance From York – 15 minutes by car (alternatively hire a bicycle and cycle by the river – approx 10 miles). Beningbrough, York, YO30 1DD, Tel: 01904 470666.

Sutton Park

Award-winning gardens featuring herbaceous borders full of rare and interesting plants, a Georgian icehouse and woodland walks. Sutton on the Forest, York, YO61 1DP, Tel: 01347 810249, www.statelyhome.co.uk

Further afield there are plenty more gardens to explore throughout North Yorkshire, such as the magnificent Studley Royal Gardens and Fountains Abbey (World Heritage Site) and the terraces, temples and trees of Duncombe Park.

For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org