Following the popularity of the opening of the newly revitalised herb gardens earlier this year, the gardens team at Bolton Castle near Leyburn are to offer bespoke garden tours for visitors. Led by Head Gardener Jason Hanslip and Gardener (and lead on the herb gardens work) Elizabeth Carter, the tours will take in the full breadth of the gardens overlooking beautiful Wensleydale.
These private tours will chart the gardens from their medieval beginnings, their original plans and plants, to how the gardens have evolved to what they are today – a celebration of the legacy of the gardens surrounding the castle. Tours are available for up to 30 people for £50 per group per day (plus the usual admission charge) and will last for approximately an hour. Participants will also be able to ask Jason and Elizabeth any questions about the gardens and receive their unique insight into working in and planting a garden for today’s visitor whilst celebrating the garden’s history.
Bolton Castle enjoyed extensive national media recognition for Elizabeth Carter’s work on researching and replanting the herb gardens. Jason Hanslip, as Head Gardener, brings almost 20 years of gardening experience on the Bolton Estate, to the castle gardens, and this year is spearheading work to the traditional Rose Garden and ensuring the gardens meet the high expectations of the 21st century visitor. Both Jason and Elizabeth advocate sustainable practices wherever possible in the management of the gardens with Jason providing as much produce as possible from the estate for the castle’s tea room.
Held uniquely in the same family’s ownership for over 600 years, Bolton Castle, includes a walled vineyard and Mary Garden, Dyer’s Garden, Rose Garden and maze. An A to Z of the plants is now featured on the Bolton Castle website providing visitors and garden and history lovers with Elizabeth’s research.
For more information about the gardens at Bolton Castle and to make a garden tour booking, please click here