Discover more at Beningbrough
Find out when Beningbrough is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Things to see in the garden at Beningbrough
Explore over eight acres of formal gardens, including newly created spaces, surrounded by parkland and mature trees. Relax among the flowers watching the wildlife at work or see what's growing in the two-acre walled garden.
This year round garden is planted with visitors in mind; something will always be at its best. Areas take on different styles and seasonally evolve. It's a garden full of beauty, wildlife, inspiration and places to pause.
The dedicated team of garden staff and volunteers can often be seen working away. Don't hesitate to ask what they're working on and any advice they might have if you've got a question.
You might find surplus plants or glut of the harvest available to pick up and take home for your pocket of green.
A garden for all seasons
Each area tends to be at its best at a different time of year and seeing the seasons change is a reason to return time after time.
Winter
Shapes and structure from the trees provide a strong framework for a winter walk. It’s the best time to see the trained espaliers or gnarly branches of mature trees, some over 300 years old and giants on the horizon. A few remaining seed heads offer structure and texture as the last of the herbaceous beds are cut back and mulched with home made leaf mould. Look out for the first signs of shoots as the new year starts with pockets of colour popping up in the borders from Scilla and Iris reticulata and snowdrops along the ha-ha walk.
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The Mediterranean Garden
This is the latest area to be developed as part of award-winning garden designer Andy Sturgeon's long-term plans. A brand new garden was created, opening in summer 2024, and transforming a previously grassy area into a stunning garden space.
Explore new pathways, hidden nooks and relaxing seating areas. The gardens team have planted thousands of new plants, many of which are pollinator friendly and aready the area is flourishing with mixed textures, colours and seasonal interest.
The water features provide a calming backdrop to the space as the water gently trickles down the rill, cascades through the metal spouts and flowing into the new pond. Take your time and enjoy this new garden at Beningbrough, maybe leaving with a few ideas to try in your own.
Don't miss the Walled Garden
A destination in its own right, a stroll around Beningbrough's walled garden will take you through the historic pear arch and under Beningbrough's own two varieties of grapevine in the remaining glasshouse. The number of fruit trees are in the hundreds and it keeps the team of volunteers busy all year round to optimise their growths for production. Alongside the fruit, a wide range of vegetables are cultivated using traditional methods in two acres of kitchen garden, first enclosed when the walls were built in 1792. Harvested produce is used in the restaurant adding to the flavours on the menu with surplus offered for donation through the outdoor shop.
Discover Beningbrough from above in this short video.
What if it rains?
If there's one thing we can rely on, it's the Great British weather...and not just in winter. The garden has pockets of places to take shelter from a quick shower, alternatively, even if not part of your original plan, head into the hall, restaurant or shop if the rain is more prolongued.
- Borrow a brolly - ask the welcome team if you forgot to bring your own or buy a new one from the shop
- Take a seat under the south facing loggia in the East Formal Garden
- See what's growing in the glasshouse...the grapes have pips, just in case you're tempted!
- Mooch around the potting shed, try to figure out what some of the tools were for
- Imagine life as a laundry maid or reminisce about a time before machines did most of the washing
- Pick a new book from the secondhand book shelves in the library
Top trees
When one of the garden team found out about the tree register, which keeps the records of 'champion trees' - the tallest or widest of each species, they felt sure that there would be some Yorkshire champions at Beningbrough...
The garden vision with Andy Sturgeon
The gardens at Beningbrough are no stranger to change, having been treated to redevelopment by its various masters and their differing tastes and the fashions of the time. The internationally acclaimed garden designer Andy Sturgeon has created a design that will be slowly introduced to enhance aspects of the landscape at Beningbrough.
Little detail is known about the specifics of the gardens of the past. Consequently, unlike many other National Trust properties the gardens cannot be tied to a certain era or design, allowing Andy and his team a certain amount of creative freedom to develop areas of the garden that some visitors may be less familiar with.
Our partners
Beningbrough is a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) partner garden. RHS members can visit for free any day the garden is open. Free entrance is for members only and you will need your RHS membership card on the day.
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Beningbrough's garden vision
Discover how award-winning garden designer Andy Sturgeon is collaborating with the National Trust to transform Beningbrough’s gardens. Explore the progress made so far and what exciting developments lie ahead in the long term vision for the Yorkshire estate.
Visiting Beningbrough with your dog
Bring your dog to Beningbrough and you'll both have a great day out on one of Yorkshire's finest estates. Here are some ideas to help you get the most out of your visit. Beningbrough is a three pawprint rated place.
The parkland at Beningbrough
The 380 acres of parkland at Beningbrough offer the chance to stretch your legs and reconnect with nature, as well as being home to wildlife including birds, rare bats and the iridescent tansy beetle. Park for free in the visitor car park before heading out on one of the routes.
Art at Beningbrough
Discover more about the Reddihough Galleries on the first floor of Beningbrough Hall. Currently on show, Whispers of the Wilderness: Exploring Wilderness Gardens is a full sensory exhibition linking history and fashion, with contemporary sculptures and sketching. See past exhibitions and what's coming next.
Eating at Beningbrough
Choose from a range of tasty snacks and drinks at Beningbrough's restaurant and two other eateries, open on selected days. Find out where to refuel with your dog, indoor and out.
Gardens and parks in Yorkshire
Enjoy Yorkshire's autumn gardens and parks, from the landscaped views at Fountains Abbey, to the gardens within a garden at Wentworth Castle Gardens, pathways and borders at Nostell, and the Mediterranean Garden at Beningbrough.
Gardening tips
Discover our gardeners’ top tips so you can make the most of your garden, plot or window box.
