THE gardens of one of the last Edwardian country houses to be built in Yorkshire before the First World War are set to be opened for the first time after a lengthy restoration project.

After years of neglect which saw part of the grounds at Sion Hill Hall, near Thirsk, grazed by sheep, Michael Mallaby, chairman of the hall's trustees, has transformed the gardens to complement the neo-Georgian style property, which was designed by Walter Brierley, known as the “Lutyens of the North.”

The garden features a formal parterre, baroque statuary, clipped box and hornbeam, and a restored Long Walk, originally laid out in the Victorian period for Lady Louisa Lascelles, which features mature Yew trees, shrubs and herbaceous planting.

There is also a walk overlooking the River Wiske with woodland style planting leading to a traditional walled kitchen garden.

A garden created to mark the property's centenary has been recently completed, after a year of planning, and includes perfumed roses, delphiniums and peonies.

The gardens will be opened on June 20 and 21 June to raise funds for the National Garden Scheme, which supports charities such as Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Carers Trust and Hospice UK.

For details, call 01845 587206.