Ripley Castle Gardens, Yorkshire, England

[FrazerHenderson]

Ripley Castle Gardens are situated on the ede of the Yorkshire Dales, three miles north of Harrogate.

The gardens consist of a 4 acre walled garden, a large kitchen garden, pleasure grounds with old, obese and special trees and a deer park with a hand-dug 24 acre lake.

The gardens are famed for their spring plants (narcissi, tulips and especially the national collection of hyacinths) - however, as most know, Britain's spring was especially early this year and accordingly most spring flowers had long passed their best. Nonetheless, we spent a pleasant morning (in the rain and alone) in the gardens, circumnavigating the lakes and listening to stories of the knarled trees of the English Civil War.

Additionally, there is a small plant sales area, a shop (with usual tourist stuff) and a tea shop. The village is charming, with good food shops and antique retailers. The garden is probably not worth a special visit (unlike, say, nearby Newby Hall) but well worth a visit if in the area. We shall definitely try and get back during a more appropriate spring when next in Yorkshire.

RHS card holders get free entry and the gardens are part of the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine 2 admissions for the price of 1 scheme (see May issue of the participating 260 UK and Irish gardens - well worth obtaining if like us you are - or are to become - inveterate garden visitors).

More details on the castle and gardens can be obtained from www.ripleycastle.co.uk

The pictures are somewhat random

[FrazerHenderson]

...some more random pictures...

[FrazerHenderson]

..and finally..

[Maggi Young]

Those venerable old trees are grand and attended by dancing cobras..... what could be more magical?

I love that BIG glasshouse.... wouldn't fit our plot but I like it!

 The photos really don't look very wet, Frazer.....  just lush!

[Graham Catlow]

Fantastic trees Frazer.
Your wife will have enjoyed all those Hostas. As I did.

[Lvandelft]

A visit just for those trees would be worthwile. Will try to remember this place! Thank you Frazer for showing.

[David Nicholson]

Many thanks Frazer, it must be at least 40 years since I visited.

[FrazerHenderson]

Ripley Castle received a small feature in the June issue of The Garden:

"[It] is home to an intriguing new black-and-white border that uses carefully chosen bulbs, shrubs and grasses to achieve a striking effect. The season begins with black and white tulips followed by the deep foliage and flower tones of Cotinus 'Grace', Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles', Iris 'Deep Black' and Alcea 'Arabian Nights'. The effect is lightend by Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride'. Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' and white-flowered hydrangeas and agapanthus."

The border was designed by Matthew Wilson, formerly curator of Harlow Carr.