A historic walled garden will throw its gates open to the public to help raised funds for Richmond MayFest.

Mr Yorke’s Walled Garden in Richmond will be open from 1pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, June 9. 

Musicians Paul Leigh and Gill Page will be playing during the afternoon, while artist Judi Allinson will be painting and offering examples of her work for sale. Tea and cakes will also be on sale as well as plants.

The 18th Century garden was built by John Yorke II, who lived with his wife, Anne, in a mansion, which stood near the Green by the banks of the River Swale. Their Richmond estate included the house, stables (now the car park on the Green), formal gardens, the walled kitchen garden, the Green Walk, Culloden Tower and Temple Grounds.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Acers in Mr Yorke’s Walled Garden in Richmond

Mr Yorke’s family mansion was demolished in the early 19th Century, and the walled garden was later used as a market garden. In the 1980s it was planted with a variety of interesting saplings that were to be grown on for sale, but many were left and are now mature.

The current owners, Dennis and Marcia McLuckie have retained trees and, where possible, the outline of the original paths, whilst restoring and redesigning the garden.

The garden extends to over an acre and has mature deciduous and coniferous trees, shrubs, fruit trees old and new, lawns, parterres, herbaceous borders, roses, ponds, a stream and a vegetable garden. 

Darlington and Stockton Times: Judi Allinson painting in the garden

Marcia said: “Since we started work on our garden some years ago, we have achieved a lot with redesign, taming existing planting, creating new beds and features as well as planting many new flowers, fruit and rose trees and more. We know there is still much to do and this year has been particularly challenging weatherwise with the alternating rain and sunshine.

"The upside is that the colours in the garden are very vibrant with wonderful shades of green in the trees and shrubs.”

She added: “We still have much to do – as well as keeping on top of the revitalised areas of the garden, there is a whole area of uncharted territory that we have started to reclaim this spring. We won’t pretend the garden is perfect and weed free, but we want to share the garden rather than keep it secretly behind its enormous walls.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Gill Page and Paul Leigh of Trouvere who will be playing at the garden open day

"We also want to give support to local charities and opening the garden is an enjoyable way for us and our visitors to help. It feels more like a garden party than anything more formal.”

MayFest chair, Gill Page, welcomed the garden fundraiser, and said: “I and the other MayFest trustees appreciate the chance to raise vital funds in such a beautiful setting. It is generous of Dennis and Marcia to open the garden, which I know entails a lot of work.”

Admission to the garden, on Cravengate, is £6 for adults. Children under 16 are admitted free.  There is no card machine so visitors are urged to bring cash. Parking is at Newbiggin, the Market Place or car parks at Nuns Close and The Green.