What the Yorkshire in Bloom judges said about Newby Hall Gardens & Grounds.
"Newby Hall and Gardens is well known in the horticultutal fraternity as an impressive
example of well designed and extensive range of garden features, expertly decorated
with a ricj and diverse range of plants. The truly magnificent herbaceous borders
are the central feature of the gardens but are by no means the only feature of
quality. Garden rooms and themed planting provide a range of style's that can
easily be incorporated into most gardens large or small. Of particular value is
the work on plant conservation and Newby boasts the best collection of the genus
Cornus in the Country."
- 2008 Overall Gold Award- Yorkshire in Bloom
- BTA Heritage Award
- 2006 Gold Award - Yorkshire in Bloom
- HHA/Christies Garden of the Year Award
- Home for the National Collection of Cornus (excluding Florida Cultivars).
A Guide to the Gardens of Newby Hall by Robin Compton, President of the National
Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens.
The original design
Newby Hall was built between 1691-1695 and shortly afterwards the owner, Sir
Edward Blackett, commissioned Peter Aram as head gardener to lay out formal gardens
and avenues in keeping with the period.
Very little of Aram's layout for Newby remains today and the present design is
largely attributable to the present owner's grandfather, the late Major Edward
Compton, who inherited Newby in 1921.
Influenced by Lawrence Johnston's Hidcote Manor in Gloucestershire, Major Compton
decided to create a main axis for the garden running from the south front of the
house right down to the River Ure. The axis consisted of double herbaceous borders
flanked by double yew hedges with a broad grass walk running down the middle.
Off it he planned compartmented gardens of formal design like rooms off the main
passage of a house - each filled with plants to be at their best for different
seasons - truly a 'Garden for all Seasons'.
The gardens he created over 50 years cover 40 acres and make a great contribution
to 20th century gardening design.
Newby today
Major Compton died in 1977 and left a daunting challenge to the present owners
parents', Mr and Mrs Robin Compton. His 'Grand Design' needed labour-intensive
maintenance and, in the last years lacked it, so the garden had fallen into a
sorry state. Fortunately Robin Compton had spent most of his leisure hours, away
from business activities, gardening and studying plants and how they behave and
Jane Compton was also passionately interested in flowers, possessing an unusual
flair for colour and design.
Today they have totally restored and replanted these lovely gardens over a ten
year period. They have been honoured to win the BTA Heritage Award acknowledging
their outstanding contribution to tourism for the restoration of Newby Hall and
Gardens and the HHA/Christie's Garden of the Year Award.
As President of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens
and helped by Jane Compton's artistic eye, Robin Compton has filled Newby Gardens
with rare and beautiful plants, many of which may be bought at the Plant Centre.
The gardens also hold the National Collection of Cornus (Dogwoods).
Visiting Newby
Garden leaflets with suggested walks through the gardens are available to help
visitors decide where to go and what to see at each time of the year. They contain
a map too as twenty-five acres of gardens can be confusing!
A visit to the Adventure Gardens, which were designed in the Year of the Child,
is not to be missed, nor is a memorable ride through the gardens on the miniature
railway alongside the river.
Newby's gardening seasons
Newby's gardens offer variety throughout the seasons. There's always something
beautiful to see and enjoy.
Best Months
Many of our rare and beautiful plants are available for sale at the Newby Hall
Plant Centre near the Visitor Centre.
