A Blossoming Journey
The first buds of spring are appearing throughout Yorkshire, bringing alive the region’s gardens with dazzling flowers, rich foliage, and new life. From the grandest of historic estates to small, charming, secluded retreats, the gardens of Yorkshire offer an inspirational and eclectic mix of floral extravaganza, peaceful walks, and ideas for any green-fingered enthusiast.
Here is a curated list of the top 10 gardens in Yorkshire that are a must-visit this spring.
- RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate
Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, HG3 1QB
Monday – Sunday 9.30am – 6pm (Last entry to garden 5pm)
RHS Garden Harlow Carr is set in the spa town of Harrogate and actually covers 58 acres, encapsulating the best of the quintessential Yorkshire landscape. From daffodils to tulips and hyacinths, the garden is stirred into life in spring. Most impressive are the Alpine House and Winter Garden, showcasing the best late-winter and early-spring blooming.
- Castle Howard Gardens, York
Castle Howard Estate, York, YO60 7DA
Daily 9:00am – 4:00pm (last entry 3.00pm)
The beautiful grounds of Castle Howard afford far more than just a set to the famous Brideshead Revisited. The 1,000-acre site includes formal gardens, woodlands, and lakes that come to life with magnolias, and cherry blossoms in spring.
- Burton Agnes Hall, Driffield
Rudston Rd, Burton Agnes, Driffield YO25 4NB
Daily between 11am – 5pm
Surrounding the stately home Elizabethan mansion of Burton Agnes Hall are award-winning gardens. For example, in the spring season, more than 4,000 tulips can be visited in its jungle garden and the first warmth of the season in its classical walled garden.
- York Gate Garden, Leeds
Back Church Ln, Adel, Leeds LS16 8DW
Wednesday – Sunday 10am to 3.30pm
Hiding in Adel on the northern outskirts of Leeds, York Gate is a one-acre garden divided into a series of smaller gardens, each with its unique theme. The features within the garden and the choice of plants make it an interesting place to visit in spring, when the garden is just beginning to awaken from its winter slumber.
- Helmsley Walled Garden, Helmsley
Cleveland Way, Helmsley, York YO62 5AH
Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 3pm
Helmsley Walled Garden lies within the North York Moors National Park, showing off five acres of peace and beauty. Helmsley Castle is also historic, where spring sees a dazzling show of flowering bulbs and fruit tree blossom. - Harewood House, Leeds
Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
Friday – Sunday 10am-5pm
The main grounds of the Harewood House are renowned for over 100 acres of gardens; the landscape, designed by Capability Brown, and the Himalayan Garden are all included. The rose collection in the Rose Garden enjoys its first flush, along with the azaleas and rhododendrons, which are at their best during late spring.
- Wentworth Castle Gardens, Barnsley
Park Dr, Barnsley S75 3EN
Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm
Wentworth Castle Gardens cover 500 acres of parkland, gardens, and woodland, and form one of the most historically important collections of landscaped gardens in Yorkshire. Outstanding magnolias and camellias in spring are joined by special numbers throughout the Victorian Flower Garden and Fernery.
- Scampston Walled Garden, Malton
Scampston, Malton YO17 8NG
Wednesday – Sunday 10am to 5pm (last entry 4:00pm)
Renowned for its contemporary design within the walls of a traditional kitchen garden, Scampston Walled Garden is a visual treat in spring. The ‘Drifts of Grass’ and the ‘Spring Border’ are particular highlights, offering a modern take on springtime colour.
- Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield
Clarkehouse Rd, Broomhall, Sheffield S10 2LN
Tuesday – Sunday 8am to 3.50pm
This 19-acre garden boasts over 5,000 species of plants in beautifully landscaped settings. . In spring, the Mediterranean and Asian gardens come into their own, as sweet scents and the sights of charming roses fill this part of the Garden.
- Parcevall Hall Gardens, Skipton
Skyreholme, Skipton BD23 6DE
March 29th until 29th October, daily 10am to 6pm daily.
Parcevall Hall Gardens are set in the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales. These hillside gardens offer breath-taking views and a variety of plant life that starts to flourish in spring, from traditional English blooms to exotic species.
Yorkshire’s gardens are a testament to the region’s rich horticultural heritage and the passion of those who maintain them. Each garden, with its unique character and beauty. Springtime is the perfect time to explore these ten botanical treasures.
