Visiting the garden at East Riddlesden Hall

The exterior of the 17th-century manor house at East Riddlesden Hall, Yorkshire | © Annapurna Mellor

The dark stones of the hall are a stark contrast to the white frost coating the formal lawns. Challenge yourself to find beauty in the garden at a time of year when nature could easily be overlooked.

Winter in the garden

During the winter season much of the plant life is sleeping and preparing for the explosion of colour that ignites the landscape in late spring.

But the blackened stone of East Riddlesden Hall creates drama, and old walls clothed with ivy bring a rich green to an otherwise simple colour palate. The outlines of trees create a stark contrast against the landscape, and frost can transform even the simplest features into something magical.

In late winter snowdrops give the sign that winter is about to break its spell. Once daffodils push their way through the thawing ground you know that spring is on its way.

The garden through the seasons

The gardens at East Riddlesden hall are ever changing, find out what you could see during your next visit.

Autumn

Wander along garden pathways under canopies of deep red, burnt orange and bright yellows. If we're lucky, the perennial sunflowers will have lasted until the early autumn months, their tall yellow flowers giving the gardens a pop of colour during colder months. Look out for apples and pears growing ripe on the trees lining the central pathway in the formal garden.

Daffodils in the garden at East Riddlesden Hall | © Ellen Glover

Early spring

At this time of year, the wild garden is coming to life. With daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses brightening the garden after the winter months. Look out for the Snakeshead Fritillary appearing in the long grasses here. Delicate blossoms will start to appear on the fruit trees that line the central path in the formal gardens.

Apple blossom at East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire — Apple blossom at East Riddlesden Hall | © National Trust Images/Peter Katic

Late spring

The formal gardens start to awaken, with alliums and peonies appearing, keep an eye out for the clemitas blooming. This show stopper growing on an ornamental cherry tree is over 40ft tall, the waterfall of pale pink flowers never fails to impress. The wild garden is a sea of blue from the camassia, in Mollies garden our raised beds for cut flowers will be putting on a colourful display - each year the flowers that grow here are changed.

Perennial sunflowers in the garden, East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire | © Ellen Glover

Late summer

In the borders, you’ll find a selection of perennials which burst into bloom at different times throughout the season – putting on a different show each time you come to visit the garden. During the later summer months you can enjoy the bright yellows of the perennial sunflowers, which can last almost until autumn. See if you can spot the showy dahlia during your visit.

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Make sure you take it all in

The formal garden

This main part of the garden was designed in 1972. Herbacious borders surround the green lawns, which are lovingly tended to by our amazing garden volunteers.

In the borders, you’ll find a selection of perennials which burst into bloom at different times throughout the season.The garden walls are covered in climbing plants and ivy.

Mollie's Garden

At the back of the garden, head through the ivy archway and you’ll find another secret spot. In Mollie’s Garden, you’ll see a variety of homes for our little garden wildlife as well as beds for cut flowers. You’ll also find one of the most important parts of our garden – the compost area. Here is where we make all the compost in the gardens, from garden waste collected throughout the year.

The wild garden

The wild garden provides the perfect contrast to the main garden. Here you’ll find a variety of wildflowers, taking their turn to take centre stage.

This peaceful, wild spot is a favourite place for our garden wildlife. The central lime tree makes this the perfect spot to find some shade on sunny days. Bugs can be found crawling through the grass, butterflies flutter between the flowers and birds can be heard singing loudly in the treetops.

The herb border

Wander down by the side of the house and you’ll be greeted by our herb border. Here you’ll find a variety of herbs, all of which can be found in Culpeper’s Herbal. Listen to the buzzing of bees and watch the butterflies darting about this colourful space. Taste, touch and smell the different herbs growing in the borders and see if you can work out what they would be used for.

Fields and meadows

Enjoy a local walk along the lower fields, looking for wildlife on the banks of the River Aire. This open space is a great place to enjoy some peace and quiet on your doorstep, with plenty of room for little ones to charge about and to stretch your legs on the riverside path.

If you’re visiting with your four-legged friend, please be mindful of livestock grazing in nearby fields. Please do keep your dogs under close control and help us care for this special place by removing any waste and using the bins provided.