North Yorkshire and Durham

The temptation to return yet again to this wonderful part of the country cannot be resisted, time to enjoy and discover more that it has to offer.  There are visits to gardens both private and historic  - Tudor Croft, Raby Castle, Wynyard Hall, Bishop Auckland Palace, Jervaulx Abbey, Clifton Castle and Langton Farm.

The 4 star Crathorne Hall Hotel, part of the Handpicked Hotel group, is an imposing Edwardian-style estate that blends historic grandeur with modern-day luxury surrounded by 15 acres of private grounds just on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors and easily accessible by road or train.  Arrive at the hotel on Monday 6 July.

Tuesday 7 July:  The first visit is to Langton Farm. A garden designer's organic garden created since 2000. Romantic flower garden with mixed borders, formal and informal gravel areas, nuttery and pear avenue.  Then continuing to Jervaulx Abbey.  An eight acre garden adjacent to the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey with views of River Ure. Mixed borders and beds, croquet lawn, parterre, glasshouse. A small vegetable garden and fernery. Magnificent older trees and woodland areas and a growing collection of contemporary sculptures. Late lunch in local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Clifton Castle with breath-taking views over lower Wensleydale. The gardens include formal walks through the wooded ‘pleasure grounds’ with abundant wildflowers, grotto and follies and a walled kitchen garden similar to how it was set out in the 19th century.  Then a visit to the house with its fine collection of portraits, furniture, silver, porcelain from 16th-19th century and ornate cornicing.

Wednesday 8 July:  The Auckland Project.  The Auckland Castle site was bought in 2012 by philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer in order to revitalise the future of Bishop Auckland.  It has undergone a major transformation and restoration.  Centred around the historic Auckland Palace, once the seat of England’s powerful Prince Bishops, is the 17^th century Walled Garden redesigned by landscape architect Pip Morrison that includes a Victorian-inspired glasshouse, a faith garden and a wilderness garden.  The Spanish Gallery, home to Francisco de Zurbarán’s series of Spanish masterpieces, is just a starting point for a gallery dedicated to Spanish art with works from the medieval period and particular emphasis on the 16^th/17th-century Spanish Golden Age.  Also there is the Mining Art Gallery and Auckland Tower.  Light lunch will be included in the  Auckland Palace Old Library.

Afternoon visit to nearby Raby Castle where the 18th century Walled Garden has been recently remodelled by renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei.  A stunning 5-acre vision, a series of unique mazes alongside the historic Raby yew hedge, rill, tiered grass amphitheatre, flower garden of grasses and perennials.

Thursday 9 July: Checking out of the hotel before morning visit to Wynyard Hall near Stockton-on-Tees.  This stunning walled garden designed by Alastair Baldwin has over 3,000 David Austin roses, fabulous planting and an interesting selection of trees and shrubs. The Edible Garden is filled with wonderful home-grown produce and the Marquee Garden a stunning display of Italian-inspired landscape, while the Wild Garden has more of an informal relaxed design.  Continuing to Tudor Croft, the arts and craft house and gardens in Guisborough.  Gardens has a rich history, dating back to 1934 when they were built and owned, by brick manufacturer Ron Crossley. were built in the arts and crafts style on a five acre site. This superb private garden full of rare species and spectacular features and continues to evolve .    Light refreshments before returning to the hotel for 2 pm or onto Northallerton/Yarm station.