York's green and pleasant space

By Sjaak Kasteljin
Garden manager, York Museum Gardens

The ruins of St Mary's Abbey dominate the Museum Gardens in York

York Museum Gardens is a much used botanical garden in the centre of York. In total they cover an area of ten acres (four hectares). The gardens are set in an historic surrounding with roman and medieval remains.

The most significant remains are the ruins of a Benedictine monastery. This monastery, with an abbey dedicated to Saint Mary, was demolished in 1539 by Henry VIII. The former monastery grounds were then used as farm land for cows and sheep until in 1822 the Yorkshire Philosophical Society acquired three acres of the land to establish a 'Scientific Garden'.

In 1827 the society built the Yorkshire Museum, a design by William Jenkins, to house their collection of archaeology and geology. They later purchased more land and in 1840 Sir John Naysmith of Dawyck House was invited to prepare a plan for the enlarged garden.

There are over a hundred different species of trees in the gardens

His layout was in the style of the romantic picturesque of the Victorian period including a circular walk and informal groupings of trees and shrubs designed to frame views to the ruins within the garden. The layout of the garden today is almost identical to the original design but a glasshouse, knotted garden and a water fountain have disappeared.

The garden has a fantastic collection of trees, in total there are 115 different species. Trees, such as the oak barked beech, horse chestnut, London plane and silver weeping lime were probably planted in the early beginnings of the garden and have now reached a respectable height and size.

There is a nice collection of rowan and holly and the evergreen foliage of the many yew trees gives the garden a well balanced winter structure.

After a period of neglect the York Museum Gardens are entering a new phase. The hey-day of the gardens' botanical history will be brought back to life with new planting and improvements to the existing borders.

The grey squirrel is a popular resident in the gardens

A thematic approach to the planting collections will divide the garden into different areas. A good example of this new approach is a prairie bed at the main entrance. This new bed will reflect the original American prairie fields, which are under threat of extinction from the expansion of farm land.

The garden is a haven for inner city wildlife. It's home to a population of much loved grey squirrels and is also home to a good variety of birds. Increasing wildlife by using unconventional garden techniques is another aim for the future of the Museum Gardens.

In the garden there are helpful garden guides who will make sure you have a pleasant and safe visit and they will be able to give you any kind of information about the site.