The garden at Nunnington Hall

The garden in summer

The meadows continue providing interest through the summer with meadow flowers, grasses and insects. The summer sees the transition in the meadows from a sea of buttercups in early summer, to a carpet of ox-eye daises as the summer progresses. The orchards trees begin swelling their young fruits of apples, pears and plums, in anticipation of the bountiful autumn harvests yet to come.

After the wet winter and the early summer sun, the borders are full of life, many shrubs and herbaceous flowers are creating ever-changing textures and colour as we work our way through the summer months. From Alliums and Iris to Geraniums and Dahlias, there is always something different to see; the joy of the garden through the summer season.

Our gardeners are hard at work in the kitchen garden, growing broad beans, potatoes, salads, herbs, soft fruits such as raspberries, blackcurrants, and gooseberries which will be used in our tea-room recipes.

Living organically

The garden has been managed fully organically since 2002, reviving traditional horticultural methods while also embracing modern techniques and technology. You can see much of this work in practice as you explore the garden. This includes such things as a four-bay composting system, a wormery, fruit cages and an organic vegetable patch.

Each year sheep fleece is packed around the base of young fruit trees which acts as an organic mulch. Not only does it suppress the weed growth and help the soil to retain moisture, but slowly releases nutrients directly to the tree roots as the fleece decays. Additionally, the birds, mice and bumblebees enjoy the opportunity of collecting luxurious bedding for their nests.

Relax by the river

The garden sits alongside the River Rye which plays host to much wildlife. Spend a while by the river and you may just catch a glimpse of brown trout, otters, kingfishers and swans.

Accessible for all

The garden is fully accessible for all visitors with gravelled paths and grassed slopes.