About Helmsley Walled Garden

The Helmsley Walled Garden restoration began in 1994 led by Alison Ticehurst, whose unfailing enthusiasm motivated a team of hardworking volunteers to tackle this massive project. As the restoration expanded Helmsley Walled Garden Ltd. was formed, in 1997, as the first step to the project's charitable status, which was granted in February 1999. Sadly Alison died in 1999, but her dream of restoring the garden and offering horticultural therapy in a tranquil environment continues.

The garden now employs three full-time gardeners and has the support of an enthusiastic group of volunteers. About 40,000 visitors come each year to explore the paths and vine house and admire the magnificent towering walls covered in more than 250 varieties of clematis and old-fashioned fruit trees. Other original features include the central dipping pond and 250-year-old HL hinges on the garden side doors. Visitors are able to wander anywhere in the garden; visit the propagation house; discuss the plants with staff and volunteers and picnic on the lawn.

The garden has many historic features to restore over the future years with the aid of grants and donations. Spring 2001 saw the opening of the newly restored central Orchid House. £1m has now been spent on the building restoration of the Vinery Orchard house, shop and outbuildings. Other recently completed schemes include a peony garden, hedging projects, dipping well, rose beds, scented borders and the creation of many tranquil corners.

The garden is always open for volunteers and donations. If you would like to volunteer, make a donation or find out more about the garden then please contact us

Garden Manager Rebecca Williams Assistant Manager Lindsay Tait
Senior Gardener Alan Vowles Gardener Norman Potter
Garden Trustees Sir David Goodall GCMG (Chairman), Margery Turner, Diana Gaunt,
Neil Booth, John Chisholm, Rhona Sutherland and Mike Belton

The trustees are responsible for the future of the garden, and work to detailed conservation and management plans. These are available by email (for a small administration charge of £10). Please contact us if you would like a copy.

Registered Charity (No. 1074448) Registered Co. (England and Wales) No. 3285642 / Vat No. 721 3611 74
Helmsley Walled Garden, Cleveland Way, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5AH United Kingdom