Cool Gardens: History-packed oasis in the centre of York
In another of my Cool Gardens series, I pay a visit to the York Museum Gardens, bursting with history, fine planting – and squirrels. Pictures by Vanessa Sundin
Tear yourself away from the Minster or The Shambles and make a beeline for the Museum’s Gardens. Not just the grounds of the museum, the gardens are steeped in history and well worth a visit in their own right.
The 10-acre garden sits in the medieval ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. Established in the 1830s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, it was granted the land on the condition that botanical gardens would be created. These were created by Sir John Murray Naysmith and originally contained a conservatory, a pond, and a menagerie. The York Museums Trust has managed the gardens since 2002.
The Multangular Tower, St Mary’s Abbey, and Hospitalium
This early 3rd-century tower is the best example of standing Roman remains in York. The tower stood at the west corner of the legionary fortress, one of the two corner-towers of the huge stone wall that looked down onto the river. The small stones in the lower half are Roman, whereas the upper half was reconstructed in the medieval period.
The Benedictine abbey of St Mary’s was first built in 1088 by William the Conqueror to reinforce his hold on the north after the Norman Conquest. King Henry VIII pensioned off the monks in 1540. The buildings then became a palace for the King. They fell into ruins before excavation by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society in the 1820s.
You can see the remains of the walls of the nave and crossing of the church, and the cloister. The outer walls, built in the 1260s, are the most complete set in the country.
The Hospitium was built as part of the abbey in the medieval period, used for housing guests. The stone ground floor dates to the 1300s, with the watergate arch added around 1500. Now, it’s a popular wedding and entertainment venue.
York Museum Gardens – The planting
York Museum Gardens won the Gold Award of Yorkshire in Bloom for three successive years. The collection spreads across themed borders.
Fern Garden: Also an update, but you wouldn’t believe it. Stones from the abbey church create beds of native and non-native ferns. Trees include Gingko Biloba and the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis). There’s also a nod to the Victorian stumpery with an upside-down tree! Spot the 300-million-year-old fossils of plants from the museum.
Rock Garden: Built in tribute to the Victorian plant hunters, the Backhouse family. Created in the 1980s by Askham Bryan College students using alpines and dwarf conifers among blocks of limestone.
The borders
Prairie Border: One of the newest borders, you can see plants from the North American prairies that are popular garden plants today. Autumn is a great time to visit – watch out for Rudbeckia and grasses.
Butterfly Border: A mix of trees, shrubs, and perennials to provide nectar for pollinators.
Observatory Border: Plants with starry flowers and contrasts of light and shade.
Oriental Border: Elements of Chinese and Japanese garden culture. Plants, rocks, and water have a symbolic meaning.
Storytelling: Planted with herbs, shrubs and cottage plants, this sheltered spot is a tranquil meeting space for schools, families, and children. You can sit on the Roman column and tell your children a story.
Garden wildlife
The York Museum Gardens are awash with grey squirrels, quite unafraid of visitors and far too busy gathering nuts to bury for the winter! Spot hedgehogs, foxes, and more than 40 species of birds, including treecreepers, coal tits and sparrowhawks.
Numerous species of moths and butterflies live here, including the White Spotted Black micro-moth. The endangered bright green Tansy Beetle also can be found, which lives only in a 30km stretch of the banks of the River Ouse. In 2012, 30 beetles were introduced to specially planted beds, to increase the range of the beetle.
While you’re in the area, pay a visit to Rowntree Park.
Opening times, tours, accessibility
- Address: York Museum Gardens, Marygate, York, North Yorkshire YO30 7DR.
- Accessibility: The gardens have a series of wheelchair-friendly paths.
- For opening times and further information, visit www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk.
