Jo’s Monday walk : Newby Hall, Ripon

Those of you who saw my Saturday post will know that it was much too hot to do any serious walking on holiday in the Algarve last week.  English summertime is, however, the perfect time for gardens, and I visited a flurry of them before I went away.  Perhaps you remember this young lady?

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The last time you saw her she was upside down in the water, making a bid for freedom.  I had almost forgotten my Water Nymph.

Newby Hall in Yorkshire was built in the 1690s, under the guidance of Christopher Wren.  The 25 acre gardens feature Europe’s longest double herbaceous borders, and the National Collection of Cornus (dogwoods).  Do you fancy a wander?  If you get tired there’s a miniature steam train to toot and puff you around some of the grounds.  But first, that lily pond.  I can never walk past a water lily without pausing.

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It was a lovely, somewhat hazy, summer day and too nice to be indoors.  In case you’re wondering about the house, why not take a peek?  It’s another English ancestral home with a mighty history.  Robert Adam decorated the Tapestry Room and some of the interior.  For me, I was happy to be in the grounds, with its gentle urns and statuary.

I hadn’t gone far when a sign caught my eye- Sylvia’s Garden.  I thought at once of a certain lady in America, but Sylvia was the wife of Major Compton, whose family live in Newby Hall still.  This garden was planted to be at its best in May, to coincide with York Races.  It was late June.

A sequence of interconnecting garden rooms follow, which can be taken in any order.  An alluring bloom or a fountain easily distracts me, and my eyes were on stalks when I saw the wonderful display of peonies, threaded through with star bursts of allium.

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I was a little too early for the Rose Pergola and a little too late for the Laburnum Pergola, but the Cornus were in full, joy-packed bloom.

Apparently there are over 100 individual specimens of Cornus represented.  I failed to collect the Cornus Trail booklet from the Entrance Pavilion, so I cannot elaborate further.  Obviously, a black mark!  But you can tell I enjoyed my wandering.

Suddenly I heard the blast of a whistle and I stood, holding my breath.  With a rattle and a clank, the miniature Royal Scot steam locomotive clattered over the bridge in the Rock Garden and sped away.  In time honoured fashion, I waved.  Wouldn’t you?

I had no idea of the breadth and range of this garden.  My previous visits had been accompanied by a small boy, whose chief interest had been the snorting beast that roared through the canyon.  As I meandered on I came to the Woodland Garden.  It was season’s end for the rhododendrons that I love, but how very poignant.  Debbie, does this remind you of anything?

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And I still haven’t taken you down to the river, via the herbaceous borders for which this garden is so rightly known.  Burgeoning with delicious irises and yet more peonies!  A toot and a bustle as the train scurries past again, disturbing the stillness.

Not far back to the Garden Restaurant from here, or you could pick up an icecream at the kiosk.  Before departure I really must show you the Water Garden, and then you can simply subside with cake, or something more substantial.

I hope you’re not too weary?  There really is so much to see in these gardens, and when I mention that there is also a Dollshouse Exhibition, Adventure Gardens with a water play area and even an exhibition of Teddy Bears, you’ll know that this is a good place to take the grandkids in these upcoming school holidays.  Have a look at the website.  There’s something for everyone.

Now I really must go and put that kettle on!  I think I’ve earned it.

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I really enjoyed my break, but I’m back with another great collection of walks to share.  Thank you so much for your support.  It wouldn’t be half so much fun without you.  Join in at any time.  I’m usually around.  Click on the logo or visit Jo’s Monday walk page for details.

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Isn’t there something magical about Corsica?  Certainly there is through Drake’s eyes :

Touch of yesterday

Anabel’s castle is a whole different ball game.  Check out these views!

Drumlanrig Castle

Jackie supports Gay Rights with some great scenes in Toronto :

Toronto Pride

Liesbet cheats a tiny bit, but nobody said the walks had to be all uphill, did they?

Climbing Mount Greylock the easy way

How about a little shopping In Berlin?  Lady Lee will be your escort :

Strolling at Kurfurstendamm

Susan brings fragrance and a smile to our walks this week :

Walking along fields of lavender

Kathrin found something quite unusual and rather wonderful on her recent road trip :

Water towers in Mendocino

Jude has a few chips to share.  No, don’t all rush!  Her OH has probably eaten them by now.  Gravestones will have to do, but they’re not so tasty :

Ludgvan Churchyard

When Cathy’s not meandering in Myanmar she still likes to keep an eye on the oriental :

Philadelphia gardens : Shofuso Japanese house and garden 

And while we’re in ‘Japan’, share a little beauty and serenity with Rommel :

Goshiki-numa, Five-colored Lakes in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Fabulous, aren’t they?  Have a great week everybody.  I hear the temperatures have followed me here from the Algarve, but don’t worry- they’ll only last a day or so.  Enjoy!  See you next week.  Don’t forget Monday Escapes if you have a minute or two.

168 comments

    1. Welcome back! 🙂 🙂 Sometimes I forget that I haven’t seen people for a while till they reappear, and then I feel mean for not missing them sooner! 😦

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    1. We’ve been to some stunning gardens lately, Carol. I’d forgotten how nice this one was till I looked back at the photos. All well with you? You hadn’t posted when I last checked but I’ll pop back again tonight. 🙂 🙂

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    1. It has such variety, Sherry. It’s a long time since we were last there, and we had the ‘small fry’ with us so missed quite a lot. Thanks for your company 🙂 🙂

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  8. Now that is my kind of garden stroll – so much to see and always too late or too early so another visit is required. Your photos and words are so poetic this week Jo “…wonderful display of peonies, threaded through with star bursts of allium.” And cake at the end too. That slab of chocolate looks delish, but I fear it may be all gone by now.. have a good week, and don’t get heatstroke again!

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    1. Hello sweetheart 🙂 Thought you’d like this. We were last there when Mick’s Mam was still alive and James was small. One of those Sunday lunch jaunts. 🙂 I hadn’t realised just how much we had missed with the slow folks. It’s a little commercial but they have to maintain the place somehow, and it really is lovely. The heat seems to be following me, doesn’t it? I’m sitting in the shade in our garden answering this. Forest walk and blood donors so I’ve earned a rest. Big glass of water! Ugh! Don’t fish do stuff in it? 🙂

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      2. Not unless it has sugar in. That’s good for heat stroke, you know. A bit in shock, Jude. I just discovered that Viv in France died the day before we went to Tavira. I went looking for her and her daughter has posted funeral arrangements. Proper takes the wind out of your sails.

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      3. Ah, now I understand. She was a good friend of yours. An unexpected death or had she been ill? Such a shock to discover it on the blog though. Sending you hugs (( ))

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      4. Thanks, hon. I don’t know the full story. Apparently she died in England visiting family. I’m intending to go to the funeral in Newcastle tomorrow, if I can face it.

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  10. So fascinating beautiful garden walk, not a typical english garden where you almost don’t dare stepping inside… 😀
    This is really fascinating and the cake too – the only thing missing is a cup of coffee… 😀

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  12. Wow, I really enjoyed all those flowers – beautiful. But then I saw the chocolate cake at the end………

    Thanks for the mention. Another walk coming up shortly.

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    1. Mick won’t share his chocolate cake but you could have some of mine. 🙂 Thanks a lot, Anabel. I’ll be over to yours after tea. It’s hot here, can you believe? In Hartlepool! 🙂

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  16. Looks like a great place for a wander…and there’s the train, if it gets too much! I love the peonies interlaced with whatever..

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    1. It’s a beautiful place, Sue. We didn’t see the best of it on previous visits because we had small fry with us- quite some time ago! He’s more interested in cocktails than trains now 🙂

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  17. Jo, I visited here a few years ago – lovely reminder of the gardens and time to take them in on your post. Whilst there originally my son was much younger and everything was more of a dash! 😀 It is a magical place.

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  20. Oh yes, that definitely reminds me of the floor in Seville – same colour, even!
    This looks a beautiful place to wander, Jo. Gorgeous flowers, water features and cake. What could be better!

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