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Frosty morning in the garden at Nostell with fountain and statue in the foreground
Find a new favourite Yorkshire garden or return to your local to watch the season's change | © National Trust / Joanna Reed

Gardens and parks in Yorkshire

Winter can bring out the structure in a garden from seeds head, to statues and mature trees with bare branches. Frosty mornings, low sun, and crisp bright days and you're all set to explore a garden or park near you. Choose from landscaped estates to small city escapes, and every style of horticulture in-between.

Don't miss this season

The Temple of Piety seen across the Moon and Half Crescent ponds at Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
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Studley Royal Water Garden 

Designed by John and William Aislabie in the 18th century and granted World Heritage Site status in 1986, the gardens at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal boast views, ponds and garden buildings, including the Abbey ruins, as eye-catchers across the landscape. You can imagine you're on the set of Bridgerton as you meander with family and friends, although corsets and breeches are not essential attire these days.

Winter gardens in Yorkshire

Passion flower vine in the Victorian Conservatory
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Wentworth Castle Gardens 

Explore centuries of history in this spectacular south Yorkshire landscape, with formal gardens, inspiring monuments and a folly that isn’t quite what it seems. If the weather turns, spend time in the restored conservatory, taking in plants from around the world.

The exterior of the 17th-century manor house at East Riddlesden Hall, Yorkshire
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The garden at East Riddlesden Hall 

See climbers and borders with late colour and seed heads maturing in the herb garden.

Young children running down avenue at Nunnington Hall
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The garden at Nunnington Hall 

The garden at Nunnington Hall is the perfect place to enjoy some peace and quiet. Peaceful hidden spots, colourful peacocks and colourful flowers offer a great day out.

Young children enjoying the natural play area in the garden at Ormesby Hall in winter
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The garden at Ormesby Hall 

Explore the garden at Ormesby Hall, a green oasis in the heart of industrial Middlesbrough. Discover the seasonal delights of this colourful Victorian formal garden.

Frosty morning in the garden at Nostell with fountain and statue in the foreground
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The garden at Nostell 

Discover edible delights in the kitchen garden, unwind beside the orangery or escape to the menagerie garden before exploring the winding paths of the pleasure grounds.

New this year

A family and dog walking through a designed garden with gravel, walls and water features.
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The garden at Beningbrough 

Discover the formal gardens, walled kitchen garden, herbaceous borders and wildlife areas, each with its own style and beauty. New for 2024 is the Mediterranean Garden, the latest new space designed by Andy Sturgeon. Find out more about this RHS partner garden in Yorkshire.

Parklands and estates to explore

Visitors in the grounds of Studley Royal Deer Park at Christmas time, watching the deer in the distance munching through their winter feed
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Studley Royal deer park 

The evocative ruins of the abbey are set beside the grounds of Studley Royal, a medieval deer park in Yorkshire. It was declared Yorkshire’s first World Heritage Site in 1986.

Two people and a dog are silhouetted standing next to the rotunda. The rotunda is a round brick building supported by six pillars surrounding it and has steps leading up to it.
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The parkland at Wentworth Castle Gardens 

Put on your walking boots and discover historic monuments, woodland and a herd of deer in Stainborough park. With 500 acres of parkland, you can have your own corner to yourself.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.3 (km: 2.08)
A family look out over the frosty lake at Nostell in Winter
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The estate at Nostell 

Follow the paths and tracks at Nostell to discover ancient woodland, an abundance of wildlife and rolling views across this enchanting Yorkshire landscape.

Bare branches of a tree in the foreground with cows grazing and red bricked hall in the distance
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The parkland at Beningbrough 

The 380 acres of parkland at Beningbrough offer the chance to stretch your legs and reconnect with nature, as well as being home to wildlife including birds, rare bats and the iridescent tansy beetle. Park for free in the visitor car park before heading out on one of the routes.

Visit for free

Snowy garden looking towards part of a grand Minster building
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Treasurer's House 

In the shadow of the Minster, right in the heart of York, is the small city garden of Treasurer's House. Free to relax in on open days, see the seasons evolve and watch the city wildlife at work.

Gardens to visit further afield

A brick path between low hedges and topiary coated in light frost with bare winter trees in the distance

Gardens in the North East 

As the winter days get shorter and take hold of the gardens we look after, there are new perspectives and landscapes to explore near you.

A snowy scene of the Shinto Shrine at Tatton Park. An arched footbridge covered in snow spans the icy water.

Gardens and parks in Cheshire and Greater Manchester 

From the glorious garden at Dunham Massey to the industrial garden landscape at Quarry Bank, this corner of the North West is full of colourful blooms, even in winter.

Visitors walking through the rock garden at Sizergh, Cumbria

Gardens in the Lake District 

The Lakes is known for its dramatic, wild landscapes, but it's home to some intriguing gardens too. Explore castle grounds, a cottage garden that inspired Beatrix Potter, and more.

A mother with her baby enjoying the annual Music and Lights Christmas event at Fountains Abbey

Discover more in Yorkshire

Home to abbey ruins, houses, gardens and parklands. Stretches of coast and countryside including the Dales and the North York Moors.