Visiting the garden at East Riddlesden Hall

The South West Front of East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Relax in a deck chair and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of summer at East Riddlesden Hall. Discover more about the gardens here.

Summer in the garden

The gardens at East Riddlesden Hall are ever changing – but summer is one of the best times to enjoy them at their very best. Green lawns are surrounded by colourful borders and the smell of sweetly-scented roses fills the air. Pull up a picnic blanket or relax in a deck chair with a good book and enjoy this peaceful space. There’s lots of open green spaces for the kids to charge about too, and plenty of hidden corners to explore.

The formal garden

This main part of the garden was designed in 1972. Herbacious borders surround the green lawns, which are lovingly tended to by our amazing garden volunteers.

In the borders, you’ll find a selection of perennials which burst into bloom at different times throughout the season – putting on a different show each time you come to visit the garden.

The garden walls are covered in climbing plants and ivy and the borders are filled with a variety of plants and flowers which burst into bloom throughout the year. During summer, the garden is filled with vibrant colours and the scent of roses fills the air. Pull up a deck chair, relax on the lawns or play with some of the garden games.

At the back of the garden, head through the ivy archway and you’ll find another secret spot. In Mollie’s Garden, you’ll see a variety of homes for our little garden wildlife as well as beds for cut flowers. You’ll also find one of the most important parts of our garden – the compost area. Here is where we make all the compost in the gardens, from garden waste collected throughout the year.

Visitors in the gardens at East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

The wild garden

The wild garden provides the perfect contrast to the main garden. Here you’ll find a variety of wildflowers, taking their turn to take centre stage.

This peaceful, wild spot is a favourite place for our garden wildlife. Bugs can be found crawling through the grass, butterflies flutter between the flowers and birds can be heard singing loudly in the treetops.

On a night, roe deer often visit here so look for signs they’ve paid a visit – you might see tracks on the ground or see where they’ve had a nibble on the foliage.

A bench in the colourful formal garden at East Riddlesden Hall — The gardens are filled with colour during the summer months | © ©National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Fields and meadows

Enjoy a local walk along the lower fields, looking for wildlife on the banks of the River Aire. This open space is a great place to enjoy some peace on quiet on your doorstep, with plenty of room for little ones to charge about and to stretch your legs on the riverside path.

If you’re visiting with your four-legged friend, please be mindful of livestock grazing in nearby fields. Please do keep your dogs under close control and help us care for this special place by removing any waste and using the bins provided.