A secret garden hidden behind huge walls is to open to raise funds for a special charity which helps to empower and support individuals.
Mr Yorke’s Walled Garden in Richmond is opening on Sunday to raise funds for local charity Just the Job.
The garden was built by John Yorke II, who lived with his wife, Anne, in a 17th Century mansion, which stood near the Green by the banks of the River Swale.
Their Richmond estate included the house, stables a walled kitchen garden, Green Walk, the historic 1740s Culloden Tower and Temple Grounds.
It was demolished in the early 19th Century, and the Walled Garden was later used as a market garden. In the 1980s it was planted with a variety of saplings to be grown on for sale, but many were left and are now mature.
Current owners, Dennis and Marcia McLuckie have retained trees and, where possible, the outline of the original paths, whilst restoring and redesigning the garden.
It extends to over an acre and has mature deciduous and coniferous trees, shrubs, fruit trees old and new, lawns, parterres, herbaceous borders, roses, ponds, a stream and a vegetable garden.
Marcia said: “There is still much to do, a whole area of uncharted territory still awaits our attention. We won’t pretend the garden is perfect and weed free, it is a lot to keep on top of between the two of us and Iris, who helps few hours a week, but we want to share the garden rather than keep it secretly behind its enormous walls.We also want to give support to local charites."
She added: “Just the Job is a very worthwhile local charity. Their ‘Big Green Build’ is a pioneering project incorporating solar panels, green roof, reed bed water filtration, timber frame construction and straw bale insulation. We are very pleased to open to raise funds towards the new building."
Parking is at Nuns Close or the Market Place. Marcia said the garden is on a hill, accessible but steep for wheelchairs.
The Walled Garden is on Cravengate, Richmond, DL10 4RE, and will be open from 1pm to 5.30pm. Admission for adults is £6. Children under 16 are admitted free. Homemade cakes, refreshments and plants will be on sale.
