GARDENS and tea rooms at a North Yorkshire country house are now open for the 2013 season.

Work will start this year on a new Gardening Museum at Kiplin Hall, near Richmond, which will be developed behind the hall's greenhouses.

Head gardener Chris Baker is appealing for old gardening implements to include in the displays.

He said: “If anyone has any horticultural equipment from the 17th, 18th, 19th or 20th centuries, then please get in touch if you would like to donate it to this new project.”

“I know it is very unlikely that anyone will have equipment from the early 1600s, which is when Kiplin Hall was built, but if anything from that period turns up it would be incredibly exciting -please have a look in the back of your sheds.”

The White Garden, planted last year within the walls of topiary hedging that was planted as part of the restoration work is starting to mature.

Fruit and vegetables from the gardens are now available to buy in the tea room, and snowdrops and aconites are also on sale.

Kiplin Hall gardens, grounds and tea room, off the B6271 between Scorton and Northallerton. open Sunday to Wednesday until 30 October, from 10am until 4.00pm plus Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

Admission costs £4.50 for adults, £3.50 for concession, children £1.50 and family tickets £11.50.

For further information call 01748-818178 or visit www.kiplinhall.co.uk.