North Yorkshire garden famous for its borders beats challengers
Newby Hall and Gardens has won the 2019 Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award, picking up more than a third of the public vote. More than 6,000 voters decided the outcome between March and September to give the North Yorkshire property the title. It beat seven other contenders, including Belvoir Castle and Forde Abbey. Newby Hall and Gardens received 1,982 votes and previously won the title in 1986.
The announcement was made at the Historic Houses National AGM in London earlier this month and is the first time the award has been decided by an online public poll. Read about County Durham’s Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens. Read about Mapperton House winning Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2020.
Famous herbaceous borders
Newby Hall, near Ripon, gets nearly 140,000 people a year. It is owned by Richard and Lucinda Compton. The gardens are filled with rare plants and shrubs in 14 ‘rooms’, as well as one of the longest double herbaceous borders in the UK, two heritage orchards and acres of woodland.
Lucinda Compton said: “We are over the moon to win this award, particularly as the votes were cast by members of the public. To be the first garden to have won it twice makes it even more special. Our team of gardeners should feel very proud. They work tirelessly in all weathers to keep Newby always looking first class.”
Historic Houses Garden of the Year – ‘Evolve and adapt’
Director-general of Historic Houses Ben Cowell said: “Newby Hall is one of Yorkshire’s most popular visitor attractions, and is now officially the nation’s favourite garden! Historic Houses’ places tend to remain lived-in, family homes. This means that they can evolve and adapt over time. We should not be surprised that Newby has become the first garden to win this prestigious award twice. The changes introduced by owners Richard and Lucinda Compton have made Newby one of the country’s finest pleasure grounds.”
The Garden of the Year Award recognises beautiful gardens with public appeal. Sponsored by Christie’s auction house, it has been running since 1984. It is voted for by the general public who judge the gardens based on their enjoyment.
For more on Newby Hall and Gardens, visit www.newbyhall.com.
