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25

Jul

Last Updated: 25/07/2025
Knaresborough
Knaresborough

Guide to Open Gardens in the Harrogate district this summer

by Robert Caulfield

| 25 Jul, 2025
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image-2025-01-30t150055-363
Some of the gardens at Goldsborough Hall.

Private gardens across the Harrogate district are opening to visitors this summer.

The National Open Garden Scheme, which was established in 1927, gives people the chance to see beautiful gardens, enjoy tea and cake and raise money for charity.

Last year, visits to Yorkshire gardens raised £173,758 for charities such as Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer Support. The national total was £3,501,227.

The Stray Ferret has compiled a list of gardens taking place in the National Open Garden Scheme, as well as independently organised village open garden initiatives.

If we have missed any off, email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add them to the list.

July 26

6 Fulwith Avenue

11am-4.30pm – Small town garden with wall fountain, gothic folly, waterfall and Japanese tea garden. Multi-layered planting of different texture and colour. Admission £5.

Harrogate, HG2 8HR.

Pre-booking essential. Go to www.ngs.org.uk for more information.

August 3

Greencroft

12pm-4pm – Half acre country garden with long herbaceous borders, colourful late summer perennials, annuals and exotics. Circular garden with views to large wildlife pond and surrounding countryside. Ornamental features including gazebo, temple pavilions, formal pool, stone wall with mullions, gate to pergola and a water cascade. Admissions £5, children go free.

Pottery Lane, Littlethorpe, Ripon, HG4 3LS.

For more information, or to book, contact 01765 602487 or email s-walden@outlook.com

August 16

Swindon House Farm

11am-4pm – Country garden surrounded by farmland with mixed perennial borders, a pond garden, orchard, roses, mature trees, native hedges and wildlife. Wildflower areas in the paddock with re-wilding areas and mown paths. A potager with espaliers, raised willow hurdle beds, thyme path and small camomile lawn. Admission £5, children go free.

Spring Lane, Kirkby Overblow, Harrogate, HG3 1HT.

For more information, or to book, contact 07770 916666 or email pennybrook65@gmail.com 

August 27

Duncanne House

5.30pm-8.30pm – Secluded town garden borrows enclosure from surrounding gardens. Birch glade leads to rear garden with water feature, sculptural grass bank, lawns, beds, treehouse and rustic tea pavilion. Admission £15, children go free.

Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, York, YO51 9LN.

Pre-booking essential. Go to www.ngs.org.uk for more information.

August 28

The Orchards

11am-3pm – Relaxed 2-acre family garden set into a hillside. Arts and crafts structure with contemporary planting. Subtropical zone and greenhouse further downhill with interesting plants and edibles. Arts and crafts terracing, stone staircase, wildlife pond, woodland glade and giant planters. Plant sale by Cliffbank Nursery. Square and Compass pub nearby. Admission £5, children go free.

Crag Lane, Huby, Leeds, LS17 0BW.

For more information, visit www.instagram.com/harrogategardening 

August 29

The Orchards

11am-3pm – Relaxed 2-acre family garden set into a hillside. Arts and crafts structure with contemporary planting. Subtropical zone and greenhouse further downhill with interesting plants and edibles. Arts and crafts terracing, stone staircase, wildlife pond, woodland glade and giant planters. Plant sale by Cliffbank Nursery. Square and Compass pub nearby. Admission £5, children go free.

Crag Lane, Huby, Leeds, LS17 0BW.

For more information, visit www.instagram.com/harrogategardening

September 17

Jervaulx Hall

12pm-5pm – Eight-acre garden adjacent to ruins of Jervaulx Abbey and Abbey Mill with views of River Ure. Mixed borders and beds, croquet lawn, parterre and glasshouse. Magnificent older trees and woodland areas with choice trees and shrubs. Growing collection of contemporary sculptures. Admission £7, children go free.

Jervaulx, Ripon, HG4 4PH.

For more information on any of the listed venues, or to see more photographs of them, please visit www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk