The garden at Gibside

The Spiral Galaxy: a new garden project

Through this project, we aim to share an untold piece of Mary Eleanor’s story, echoing the way Georgian gardens reflected the beliefs and ambitions of their owners through design.

At Gibside, the Column to Liberty stands as a powerful statement of George Bowes’ commitment to Whig ideals, so this new spiral galaxy bed is designed by the gardening team to reflect Mary Eleanor’s passion for science. The theme was inspired by the rapid developments in our knowledge of astronomy in the late 18^th century, when Mary Eleanor was a prominent member of the scientific community.

Inspired by the dynamic motion of galaxies, the design not only creates a dramatic visual impact but also encourages movement, within the bed itself and as visitors circulate around it. An immersive feature in the Walled Garden, it invites exploration while weaving science into the landscape, fusing history and beauty together.

Movement will be woven into the spiral galaxy bed through carefully placed plants and evolving patterns. As the seasons shift, new plants will emerge, subtly altering the spiral’s form, while the varying heights, textures, and structures create a natural rhythm that draws the eye. This ever-changing display ensures the garden feels alive, inviting visitors to experience its motion in both space and time.

The design will focus on a white core using geranium, blurring to yellow with inula, phlomis and deschampsia, and then with swirls of brown from actea and pink penstemon. The galaxy will be punctuated with alliums from summer drummer to schubertii and working outwards there’ll be explosions of liatris and blue eryngium.

Every visit helps fund projects like this, shaping the future of the spiral galaxy bed. In time, we hope to collaborate with a local metalworker, paying tribute to Gibside’s industrial heritage. The vision includes planet-topped obelisks and delicate metal stars, placed among the alliums to mirror their celestial forms. Ultimately, we dream of commissioning a Georgian-style metal telescope, inviting visitors to imagine gazing at a distant galaxy from the heart of the garden.

A history of the Georgian landscape garden

Gibside is an early example of a Georgian landscape garden, shaped by the natural movement, which shifted design from strict formality to a more organic, flowing style. While features like the tree-lined Avenue retain symmetry, Gibside embraces naturalistic principles, inspired by Stephen Switzer, who championed gardens that blended into the countryside.

This design philosophy was influenced by Whig politics and classical art. Whig politics promoted liberty and progress, while classical art emphasized harmony and proportion. Together, they shaped landscapes that felt open and free, with dramatic viewpoints and balance.

At Gibside, these influences are woven into both architecture and design. The Chapel, by James Paine, showcases Palladian symmetry, while the Column to Liberty stands as a tribute to Whig ideals.

This controlled illusion extends throughout the landscape. Paths wind through a canopy of dense foliage, then break open to reveal sunlight over sweeping vistas. The garden’s rugged charm feels open and wild, yet it’s carefully curated, and trees are clustered to mimic forests. There’s a fascinating irony at play in Georgian landscape gardens, there’s a tension between nature and artistry, it’s nature as a stage, designed to impress rather than exist entirely on its own terms.

Today, the National Trust is working to balance the restoration of these designed landscapes with the needs of nature. Conservation efforts don’t just focus on preserving historical aesthetics, but on creating spaces where wildlife can thrive alongside history. The Octagon Pond, for example, once a defined geometric shape, remains a grand focal point, but is now a biodiverse ecosystem - a haven for newts and pondlife.