A top North Yorkshire garden designer is launching a new school at Harewood House which will focus on northern landscapes.
Alistair Baldwin decided to set up the Yorkshire School of Garden Design after realising there were no similar schools in the north.
Opening its doors in August, the facility will offer a range of short courses throughout the year.
These will be aimed at garden design enthusiasts and those wanting to learn more about all aspects of the art, from landscaping to planting.
The school’s flagship professional Diploma in Garden Design, which will be delivered over an academic year, begins in September.
Mr Baldwin said:
“For too long the budding designers of the north have had little local choice when looking for a learning experience to broaden their skills and launch them into the profession.
“More often than not, students have had to make the journey to London to find the right course and I thought that needed to change.
“I have lived and worked in North Yorkshire for over three decades and have developed an acute understanding of how the terrain, geology, even climate and the way of working is very different in this part of the UK.
“The process within which gardens are designed and built in this magnificent landscape is very different to the south. So I want to share everything I have learned over the last 35 years and inspire a new generation.”
Alistair Baldwin. Photo: Eva Nemeth
The school will be based at Harewood House, which has more than 100 acres of parkland designed by eminent 18th century landscape architect Sir Lancelot Capability Brown.
Trevor Nicholson, head gardener at Harewood House, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that the Yorkshire School of Garden design will have its base at Harewood House, which we think is a fitting and inspirational venue for a school, which hopes to train the design professionals of the future.
“I am incredibly excited to welcome guests and inspire them with Harewood’s beautiful landscapes.”
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Mr Baldwin trained in garden design in Leeds. After graduating, he built an award-winning landscape design practice in Richmond, which delivers high-spec public and private gardens throughout the UK, as well as internationally.
Having spent 12 years teaching landscape and garden design at Leeds Beckett University, while also running his practice, he has a wealth of experience in nurturing the next generation of garden design talent.
Mr Baldwin added:
“I am delighted to announce that I will be joined by an eminent team of world class design consultants, who will work with me to deliver the courses.
“Having a team of practising garden designers, all of whom have experience in creating rich and well-crafted gardens, means that students will get essential practical advice and insight straight from the horse’s mouth.”
The Terrace at Harewood House. Photo: Harewood House Trust and Lee Beal
