Shandy Hall Wild Garden
There is no set route through the gardens, and you are encouraged to make digressions in a Shandean way!
Throughout the gardens there are also small reminders of Laurence Sterne and his works, either in gate or handrail designs, or the names or associations of plants.
As you explore the gardens, be sure to look back towards the house. Over its 600 year history, Shandy Hall has been through many changes and each side of the house tells its own tale.
Shandy Hall, West aspect
We can provide a guide which will give more information and a map of the garden should you wish to use it while exploring.
Shandy Hall, East Chimneys
On arrival take a look at the East side of Shandy Hall, which consists mainly of chimneys. An old well in the south-east corner is medieval in origin. Wild strawberries, growing among the gravel borders, are a popular treat.
The appearance of the garden at the front of Shandy Hall has changed little since the very earliest illustrations of the house. Box-edged beds enclose roses, which follow spring tulips and forget-me-nots. Two very old variegated holly trees flank the front door, and New Dawn roses climb over the south walls. Note the plaque over the door, and the crooked chimney!
Shandy Hall crooked chimney
A former barn from the days when Shandy Hall was a farmhouse now contains a gallery and events space on the upper floor and a ground floor flat for artists and academics on short residencies. Behind it is the Barn Garden, a square lawn with a central sundial, with roses and cottage-garden perennials in wide borders. This garden has a view over Town’s Pasture, the old common grazing fields for Coxwold, which are still pasture-land today. Beyond stretch the beautiful Hambleton Hills.
Shandy Hall Barn Garden, spring evening
Town’s Pasture, Coxwold
The old stable block, as well as housing the Shandy Hall shop, is also an important nesting site for swallows and bluetits in the spring and summer.
Shandy Hall stable block
A small apple orchard leads to the walled West garden. The Georgian west front of Shandy Hall looks like a different building from the one seen from the road. A major feature in this garden is the large Sweet Chestnut tree, probably dating from the 18th Century, but killed by lightning in the early 20th century. It is now covered by a Clematis Montana.
Shandy Hall Sweet Chestnut and Clematis Montana
Beneath this landmark tree is the entrance to a further acre of woodland within a former stone quarry, now known as the Wild Garden. Specimen trees and plants grow among largely natural woodland. Though all parts of the gardens are managed for wildlife, this area has the most natural feel. Meandering grass paths lead past meadow areas, with wildflowers, bulbs and hellebores in the spring. It is a good place for a picnic, a nature walk or for quietly sitting to enjoy the birdsong.
Shandy Hall Wild Garden late summer
There are steps, with handrails, down into the wild garden, and by the WC (which can be reached via the car park without steps). Please take care on the uneven surfaces across the site, especially in the Wild Garden. The car park is gravelled. There is a flight of steps, with handrails, up to the gallery.
Well-behaved dogs on a short lead are welcome in the gardens.
If you need assistance, please ask us for help.
We aim to make the gardens beautiful, interesting, peaceful, and welcoming.
We hope you can visit the gardens, enjoy the birdsong, the wildlife and the special atmosphere, and, we hope, leave with a feeling of wellbeing.
