Explore Greyfriars' garden

The garden in winter at Greyfriars' House and Garden, Worcestershire — Looking towards Greyfriars' House from the garden | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

The walled garden at Greyfriars pays homage to what stood before it – George's Yard, a row of 10 affordable houses which were demolished in 1955 and recycled to create what is now this tranquil outdoor space in the heart of Worcester city centre. Discover the background to the garden and the flora and fauna you can see in the changing seasons.

The upcycled garden

Built as a row of 10 workers' houses at the back of Greyfriars, the houses were demolished in 1955 and the materials from George's Yard were upcycled to create the garden seen today.

From chimney pots used as plant pots, to the bricks that have built the gazebo, explore the garden and discover the plants and flowers you can see in the garden, through the changing seasons.

A black and white photograph showing the houses of St George's Yard at the rear of Greyfriars. — The houses of George's Yard and the rear of Greyfriars | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Winter preparations

When we’ve harvested the fruits of our labour in autumn, having made use of the pears and figs grown here at Greyfriars, the team of gardening volunteers begin their preparations for winter.

The pots are wrapped to protect them from the cold, fallen leaves are cleared and some are collected to create piles of leaf mulch, for use the following year.

Winter colour in the garden

The branches of the false acacia (robinia), stretched out against a cold blue sky look just as spectacular as it does in the height of summer, when it’s awash with vibrant colour.

The garden volunteers are at Greyfriars every Monday during January and February, when we are closed to visitors and continue to care for the garden to make sure it's ready to welcome visitors back in February.

A terrace with pots, summerhouse and trees in the wintertime at Greyfriars garden — Winter garden at Greyfriars | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Greyfriars' House and Garden, Worcestershire. Set in the heart of historic Worcester, Greyfriars is a charming timber-framed merchant's house.

Discover more at Greyfriars House and Garden

Find out when Greyfriars House and Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

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