Constructed in the 1790s this Georgian house was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1911. It was rebuilt as an Edwardian house to the same lines as its Georgian forebear.
The park is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of a surviving schme by Capability Brown (though clearly others have had an influence). There is grand use of a ha-ha to the deer park beyond. The park land is impressive, as is the parterre to one side of the house. On the other side is a drive with topiary. Some distance from the house is the former kitchen walled garden now used primarily as flower garden. It has unusually double walls.
Within the converted stable complex is a really interesting museum. It is dedicated to the men of the Wagoners' Special Reserve who ferried provisions during the early stages of WW1 to the front lines. Across the road is the Triton Gallery showing a range of modern and contemporary arts and crafts.
The house is open for tours but our focus was the garden so we can't offer any views.
Location: near Driffield, Yorkshire
Type: Parkland with parterres and walled garden. [No rock garden].
Facilities: Shop, tea room, museum, gallery. Open Easter to September. Entrance £5 but concession for RHS. Good quality plants for sale at reasonable prices.
www.sledmerehouse.com. Small, free A6 map, but good information boards with the stable complex providing details of the development of the garden/park.
Information: Slight on garden but good on house.
Henderson Rating: 3.3/5 (worth a visit but do not go there immediately after having visited the walled garden at Scampston - of which a review later - because by comparison you may be disappointed).
