Stately homes and gardens
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden and Deer Park near Ripon
A world heritage site owned by the National Trust and approximately ten miles from The GT. It is one for the top of the "must do" list whilst staying Yorkshire and offers a fascinating day out.
As well as the majestic ruins of the Cistercian Abbey there is one of England's most beautiful water gardens with temples and follies, a medieval deer park, intriguing Elizabethan manor house, restaurant, café and gift shop. Open all year round there are regular guided tours and events taking place. 25 minutes' drive.
Newby Hall and Gardens near Ripon
One of Britain's finest Adam Houses Newby Hall is an exceptional example of 18th century interior decoration. Built in the 1690s in the style of Sir Christopher Wren the house was later enlarged and adapted by John Carr and subsequently Robert Adam.
The superb contents of the house include the magnificent Gobelins Tapestry Room and some of Chippendale's finest furniture. The House also boasts a rather unusual collection of chamber pots!
The 25 acres of glorious gardens are full of rare and beautiful plants including the National Collection of CORNUS. Newby's famous double herbaceous borders, amongst the longest in Europe, form the main axis, off which are numerous formal, compartmented gardens. Amongst others there is a species Rose Garden, a Water Garden, an Autumn Garden, even a Tropical Garden here in North Yorkshire! Not open in winter. 20 minutes' drive.
Castle Howard near Malton
Just 15 miles north east of York, Castle Howard is well known as the setting for Brideshead Revisited. It is one of the North's most important stately homes and it is a truly magnificent palace with acres of parkland and landscaped gardens. There is a permanent exhibition to the wives and mothers who were instrumental in the 18th and 19th centuries to the shaping of Castle Howard as it is today. The house, as one would expect, offers fine examples of decoration, paintings, furniture and design and visitors can also see family mementoes and photographs belonging to its owner, the Honourable Simon Howard.
The 1,000 acres of gardens are a delight and there are fountains, a lake and temples to explore. Eating and shopping is also a major feature of a day out at Castle Howard.
Beningborough Hall near York – National Portrait Gallery
Within easy reach of The GT is the 18th century mansion that is home to The National Portrait Gallery's permanent exhibition of nearly 130 portraits – it offers the only opportunity in the country to enjoy some of the nation's most important eighteenth-century portraits in an appropriate period setting. As there is little electric light visitors wishing to closely study the interior of the Georgian mansion with one of Britain's finest baroque interiors should, perhaps, avoid dull days early and late in the season.
The house is open from 1st July until 29th October however the galleries, gardens and shops are open for a longer season and the galleries are open virtually all year at weekends. 35 minutes' drive.
Harewood House between Leeds and Harrogate
The home to the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood, provides a wonderful day out for all the family. The House has splendid state rooms and art collections and is set in spectacular grounds with formal gardens and woodland. This a great place for a family day out as there is a large playground for children, boat trips can be taken across the lake and Harewood's Bird Garden is home to the largest avian collection. With over 100 threatened and exotic species housed here for the purposes of conservation and education, Harewood is at the forefront of the Captive Breeding Programme.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Home to the Royal Horticultural Society in the north a short drive from The GT on the southern side of Harrogate. There are landscaped gardens to explore that are open all year and an excellent nursery, plant and gift shop in which to be tempted for your own garden.
Sections within the 58 acres include a winter garden, herbaceous borders, arboretum, Queen Mother's Lake, Wildflower garden and the new Gardens Through Time reflecting the influence of historical events and well-known garden designers from Humphry Repton and Gertrude Jekyll to Percy Thrower and Dairmuid Gavin.
An added bonus is Betty's Tea Rooms at Harlow Carr.
