Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park Harrogate – A Hidden Gem in North Yorkshire

Step Back to the Viking Age at the Himalayan Garden’s First Ever Re-enactment Weekend

Ever wondered what life was really like in Viking Britain?

This July, you can find out as the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park near Ripon hosts its first-ever Viking Re-enactment Weekend, bringing the sights, sounds and stories of the 9th century to one of North Yorkshire’s most beautiful gardens.

Watch History Come Alive

On Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July 2026, acclaimed Viking re-enactment group Vanaheim will transform part of the gardens into a living Viking settlement.

Visitors can wander through the encampment, meet Viking warriors and craftspeople, discover traditional skills, see authentic cooking demonstrations and experience dramatic battle displays as swords clash and shields thunder across the valley.

It’s a chance to step into the turbulent world where Scandinavian settlers battled for control of the ancient Kingdom of Northumbria.

A Unique Setting with Viking Connections

The event feels perfectly at home in the Himalayan Garden.

The gardens sit in a valley known as The Hutts—an Old Norse name meaning “head of the valley” or “settlement”—making it easy to imagine Viking and Saxon communities living and farming in the surrounding landscape more than a thousand years ago.

Ben Rowlett, a member of the garden team and a Viking re-enactor, said:

“Walking through the Himalayan Garden, situated in the valley called The Hutts—an Old Norse word meaning head of the valley or settlement—it is easy to imagine Saxon and Viking communities living and farming here.

“The garden is surrounded by peaceful farms and, as the only Viking on site, I am excited to welcome more Vikings here.”

More Than Just a Battle

This isn’t simply a re-enactment—it’s an immersive historical experience.

Visitors can explore a recreated Viking village, learn about everyday life, discover traditional crafts, watch cooking demonstrations and meet knowledgeable re-enactors who are passionate about bringing history to life.

Whether you’re fascinated by Vikings, looking for a memorable family day out or simply want to enjoy the gardens with something a little different, there’s plenty to explore.

Plan Your Visit

📅 Dates: Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July 2026

📍 Venue: Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Hutts Lane, Ripon HG4 3DA

🎟 Admission: Included with normal garden entry.

Advance booking is strongly recommended as attendance is limited to 500 visitors each day.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Viking Age beyond the pages of a history book, this promises to be one of North Yorkshire’s most unusual and memorable summer events.

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Paul Dibb, Head Gardener

Throughout May the colours in the garden really ramped up with both Rhododendrons and Azaleas ablaze, and they have not finished yet! The colours seem to be more vibrant this year, and it’s well worth taking the time as you wonder around the garden to really appreciate their individuality and beauty. I have picked out a few to share with you below.

Pictured above are:
Rhododendron ‘Mrs Furnival’
Rhododendron ‘Crest’ (from the Hawk Group)
Rhododendron Kermesinum Rosé
Magnolia Sieboldii
We still have a few Magnolias in flower, Magnolia Sieboldii, pictured above being one.This specimen along the Hosta Bank has been a knockout! Over in the Buddha Garden, our White Wisteria is also a showstopper and very popular at present.

Wildflower of the Month
Our wildflower of the month is Stitchwort, Stellaria, pictured below. Some of you may also know it as Star of Bethlehem. The star like flower appears from May and through June. Bee’s, hoverflies and moths will visit the flowers for nectar. It really is a pretty little flower and we have good patches of it growing across the garden, this one is beside Sunrise Lake.

Garden Music

A rare feature

We have a very rare and old Henry & Julius Caesar Summer House, located high up on Hosta Bank providing amazing views of the lower garden.

Henry Caesar, a joiner from Knutsford, began building summerhouses as a business in 1871, at around 18 years of age. It is thought that the applied name of ‘Julius’ was a sales ploy to attract interest and Henry began to use the name as he exhibited across the country, hoping to appeal to the wealthy. The creations were varied and for different uses, such as tennis courts, bridges, seats and shelters. Queen Victoria purchased one of Henry’s octagonal rustic houses and many awards were given for his designs over the years.

Henry passed away in 1891, at just 39 years old, leaving a widow and five children. Henry’s wife, Jane, continued to run the business until early 1900 and then sold it to the Power Brothers who were local carriage builders.
The summer house in the garden is a rare survivor and often shared as a good example of Henry’s work. It was purchased from Summers Place Auctions Ltd in 2012 and is topped with a French, early 20^th century, painted copper cockerel weathervane.

Figurative Sculptures

As part of our 2026 Sculptures in the Landscape Exhibition, we have a number of very different figurative sculptures using a variety of different materials. Most of the pieces in this year’s exhibition are for sale.

‘The Gardener’ pictured above is a collaboration between Paul & Laura Carey and is made from cold cast bronze. Laura is a classically trained figurative sculptor who worked for Madame Tussaud’s Studios and completed thirty prestigious portraits including Michael Caine, George Orwell and Willy Wonka (acquired by Michael Jackson).

Laura partnered with Paul Carey to pursue free-lance projects that included commissions including the Natural History Museum, Imperial War Museum (the ‘Bomb to the Beatles’ exhibition), The Fashion Café (London, Mexico & Dubai), commercials, television series and films.

‘All that I am’ are self-portrait masks by Joanna Cohn, a set of seed sculptures, grown from wheat seeds in hollow moulds.The piece is designed to reflect our human connection to the earth, wheat being intertwined with human existence. Wheatgrass is traditionally grown for Nowruz, (Persian new year) which falls on the first day of spring. The seeds are grown in a bowl and the offering represents renewal and rebirth.

Adam, cold cast resin by Sarah Cleaver

This seated male figure embodies the psychological aftermath of witnessing Eve’s transgression. His posture with one arm wrapped around his drawn-up legs while his other hand covers his head reflects his complicity in accepting the forbidden fruit. The asymmetrical gesture combines physical self-protection with the classic pose of despair, suggesting both shared guilt and his own choice to partake in Eve’s decisive act.

Gaia, stoneware by Lisa Delarny RBS

Lisa’s work has a recurring theme about our relationship with what or who we are and how we fit into the order of the natural world. ‘Gaia’ commonly refers to the primordial Greek goddess of the Earth, or the scientific and cultural concept of Earth as a self-regulating superorganism.

‘A Stolen Kiss’ and ‘Behind the Times’ by Simon Conolly RBSA

Simon is Honorary Curator for the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) which involves curating seven major exhibitions each year. His work focuses on human relationships and interactions, and beautifully captures the emotional and physical energy between individuals and groups. Many of his characters are drawn from observations of life from his rural community.

‘Eve’ and ‘Self Made Man’ by William Harling, MRBS

William’s work involving the human figure refers not to individuals or personalities, but to more universal characteristics, common to all, hence their minimal or complete lack of faces and featureless apparel.The presence in some of hands and feet suggests the possibility of intent and action emanating from an inner level of existence.

Summer Workshops 2026

Botanical Illustrations Workshop, Tuesday 16th  – Thursday 18th June, 10am – 4pm  
Botanical Illustration is the art of depicting plant forms accurately, to capture their individual characteristics and to aid identification. This 3-day workshop involves step by step guidance, demonstration and individual tuition from award winning artist, Bridget Gillespie covering drawing, composition and watercolour techniques. Suitable for complete beginners to intermediate painters.*

Modern Calligraphy Workshop, Wednesday 24th June, 10am – 12.30pm
Learn how to write beautifully using ink. Suitable for complete beginners this class will teach you everything you need to know starting right at the basics and create your own unique style of lettering. All attendees will get a Calligraphy Starter Kit, including handouts, paper, pen and ink to use and take home, providing everything you need to start your calligraphy journey.*

Botanical Casting Workshop, Saturday 4th July, 10am – 1pm
Join Jenny Radbourne from Wensleydale Botanicals and learn how to make gorgeous botanical casts. Jenny is a florist, passionate gardener and flower grower, her casts create a snapshot in time and a lasting imprint of flowers pressed into clay to make a fine plaster cast.*

Ceramic Poppies Workshop, Saturday 1^st August
Join ceramicist Anna Whitehouse for a talk about her 2022 poppy installation in the garden ‘Bursting from the Slumber’, before customising your own unique trio of ceramic poppies for your own garden. Anna will take the poppies back to her studio to glaze, fire and assemble onto steel rods, returning them to the Himalayan Garden for your collection.

* Booking essential for all workshops, see website for full details or email info@himalayangarden.com 

Coming Soon

2026 Opening Dates

2nd April – 1st November 2026
Closed Mondays in April – June
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays in July – 1st Nov
Open all Bank Holiday Mondays

 

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May Blooms Galore: A Garden Spectacle! 

Paul Dibb, Head Gardener

As we head into May the gardens are now bursting into colour and really coming to life. The magnolias have held their blooms for a good month now and as some of them begin to drop their petals the rhododendrons are coming onto the stage in force.
Without a doubt it has been an exceptionally busy time for everyone over the last two months, that hard work is now really paying off with the gardens looking spectacular everywhere you look.Magnificent MayMarvellous Meconopsis
The end of April brought us the first Meconopsis flower, always a welcome sight and a good indication that they have come through the winter in good heart. Last autumn Josh sowed a bounty of Meconopsis and with unwavering dedication nursed the germinating seedling through the winter, along with a multitude of Primula’s too. These plants will be added to the collection across the garden through the year as we develop specific areas.

Managing Invasive species
Every Wednesday the gardeners dedicate time to check, search and control invasive species on site (or as we call it Weed Whacker Wednesday!). The worst species are mapped and targeted with the appropriate methods to either kill and remove or prevent spread. For example, the large Gunnera we have in the garden risks spreading into the wider countryside via its seeds. Gunnera is now banned from sale in the UK, existing plants in gardens can remain but seed spurs and any material removed from the plant must be burned on site or taken to a waste centre. Within our gardens we remove the seed spurs as they develop weekly through the growing season. Gunnera tinctoria and Gunnera x cryptica are the two species of the plant classed as invasive. However, it is thought that Gunnera manicata is actually G x cryptica and therefore the control of spread should be managed also of this variety too.

Month of blossoming for wildlife
The wildlife is bustling right now across the gardens; the dawn chorus is at its peak and the birds are busy back and forwards with food for their emerging chicks. Noticeably Robins have been taking food to various nest sites, numbers of these birds are certainly healthy. Peacock butterfly’s, spotted out and about in March and have now been joined by Orange Tip and Brimstone too.

The Vikings are ComingWe have started planning for our first Viking Weekend (Sat 11^th & Sunday 12^th July). You will experience life in the turbulent Viking Age as the seaborne Scandinavians clash with the ancient kingdom of Northumbria. Local Viking reenactment group ‘Vanaheim’ will be putting on displays of crafts, cooking and combat. See the sights and smells of the Viking village and hear the clash of swords and shields in our battle displays. Normal garden entry applies.

Sculptures in Focus As part of our 2026 Sculptures in the Landascape Exhibtion, we have a number of large metal works making a real statement in the landscape.

Above is “Iridescent Omen” by Katie Ventress ominoulsy guarding Magnolia Lake in the garden. Katie is a blacksmith artist and this piece is both striking from a distance but detailed close-up with shimmers of colour from the stained glass. Katie says, ” I see Magpies as beautiful, intelligent & underrated, with fascinating folklore & traditions around them. However you see them, maybe this piece will invoke those feelings you hold towards them, or something completely new”  kv.blacksmith@gmail.com Close to Nessie Lake is ‘The Zip’ by Gevorg Tadevosyan which is a represenation of life. The teeth are portraits of men and women to show how life brings and separates people from our lives. The lower portion represents relationships and meetings we have lived, and the upper portion represents those coming in the future. tadevosyang@gmail.com Look up high along the Woodland Walk to spot Fluxis by Ben Green. Two male figures stand elevated on tall, rusted steel columns, rising starkly from the woodland floor. Powerfully modelled yet restrained in gesture, they face one another across space, their upright stances suggesting a poised and silent confrontation. The height of the plinths creates both monumentality and isolation, transforming the figures into sentinel-like presences suspended among the trees. Stripped of armour or narrative detail, they read as archetypal forms  warrior-like, yet contemplative. Ben captures a moment of charged stillness, where tension resides not in action, but in the suspended space between two opposing bodies. benjgreenwood76@gmail.comSpring Garden ExperienceSpring Garden Experience, Thursday 21st May, 11am – 2pm
Spring brings a magnificent display of colour from one of the North’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias. Join us for a special spring tour and lunch with the garden team and find out more about ther rarer plants in garden. £40 (£30 for Season Ticket Holders). Booking essential email: info@himalayangarden.com

Spring Workshops 2026Felted Picture Workshop, Saturday 16th May, 10am – 1pm
Spend a fun morning learning how to create a beautiful wool painting with a practical demonstration of felt-making, an exploration of different wool and fibres to use, then make your own felted wool picture. All materials supplied. *

Botanical Illustrations Workshop, Tuesday 16th  – Thursday 18th June, 10am – 4pm  Botanical Illustration is the art of depicting plant forms accurately, to capture their individual characteristics and to aid identification. This 3-day workshop involves step by step guidance, demonstration and individual tuition from award winning artist, Bridget Gillespie covering drawing, composition and watercolour techniques. Suitable for complete beginners to intermediate painters.*

Modern Calligraphy Workshop, Wednesday 24th June, 10am – 12.30pm
Learn how to write beautifully using ink. Suitable for complete beginners this class will teach you everything you need to know starting right at the basics and create your own unique style of lettering. All attendees will get a Calligraphy Starter Kit, including handouts, paper, pen and ink to use and take home, providing everything you need to start your calligraphy journey.*

* Booking essential for all workshops, see website for full details or email info@himalayangarden.com 

2026 Opening Dates2nd April – 1st November 2026
Closed Mondays in April – June
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays in July – 1st Nov
Open all Bank Holiday Mondays

 

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Paul Dibb, Head Gardener

The gardens have continued to come to life with more colour now visible throughout. Camellias, early rhododendrons and several magnolias are in flower, and with daffodils emerging and birdsong filling the air, the arrival of spring is unmistakable. Getting Ready for OpeningOver these last weeks before reopening, our focus has been on access and footpath maintenance. Visitors will notice improvements immediately on arrival, including the resurfacing of the main driveway to ensure a safe and smooth entrance to the gardens. Further work has included resurfacing several footpaths and repairing the woodland track, alongside light landscaping to soften the edges of key walkways.

Volunteers Help OutOur volunteers returned in early March and have already begun sowing a variety of vegetable seeds in preparation for the season ahead. This year they will be supplying the Tearoom with fresh produce and flowers for table displays, while also continuing enhancements to the Buddha Garden.

2026 Sculpture ExhibitionJoin us for this years ‘Sculptures in the Landscape Exhibition’ with a fantastic new collection of over 100 sculptures from artists across the UK and beyond.

‘Sculptures in the Landscape Exhibition’ is a seven‑month showcase where contemporary art is immersed in 45 acres of the garden and woodlands alongside the permanent collection of 90 contemporary sculptures.

The 2026 exhibition will present new sculptures which vary from figurative to abstract using a variety of materials including recycled compressed polystyrene from the fish markets of Hong Kong to wheat grass root heads, forged steel, ceramics and glass.

Sculptures on display in the garden this year also include 9 large pieces from the Michael Lyons collection. Michael was a founding member of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Vice-President of the Royal British Society of Sculptors.

There is also an international feel to this year’s exhibition with work from Hong Kong, America, Armenia and Spain.

Will Roberts, Trustee of the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park said:
“It’s fantastic to see how our annual sculpture exhibition has grown in popularity and that we are drawing artists from as far as Hong Kong. The addition of Michael Lyons work is also a great honour, and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the garden to enjoy them all.”  Felt MakingFelted Picture Workshop, Saturday 16^th May, 10am – 1pm

Spend a fun morning with Kathy Carra your tutor and other students to learn how to create a beautiful wool painting.

“It all starts with a practical demonstration of felt-making, an exploration of all the different wool and other fibres that I have available for you to use. Then you will make a felted wool picture. You can choose to make a picture of the Himalayan Gardens or create one of your own. You would need to bring a reference picture”.

You will select from a wide choice of gorgeous coloured wools, fibres and textural yarns. Explore blending and mixing wool colours and different types of fibres together. Learn about the differing properties of wool and plant fibres. Try out embedding different fibres and yarns into the felted surface to create texture and form in your felted picture.

All the materials and equipment you need will be provided. Katy will also provide aprons, gloves and a plastic bag to take home your finished picture.

£50 per person. Booking essential email: info@himalayangarden.com
A new pair of handsWe have new hands at the helm in our Tearoom?
Vicky has worked with the family here for a number of years and is now turning her hands to leading the team in the Tearoom – with plenty of smiles and a warm welcome for all our visitors. Do say hello when you next visit.

What’s On Spring 2026Felted Picture Workshop, Saturday 16th May, 10am – 1pm
Spend a fun morning learning how to create a beautiful wool painting with a practical demonstration of felt-making, an exploration of different wool and fibres to use, then make your own felted wool picture. All materials supplied. *

Spring Garden Experience, Thursday 21st May, 11am – 2pm
Spring brings a magnificent display of colour from one of the North’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias. Join us for a special spring tour and lunch with the garden team and find out more about our rarer plants. *

Botanical Illustrations Workshop, Tuesday 16th  – Thursday 18th June, 10am – 4pm  Botanical Illustration is the art of depicting plant forms accurately, to capture their individual characteristics and to aid identification. This 3-day workshop involves step by step guidance, demonstration and individual tuition from award winning artist, Bridget Gillespie covering drawing, composition and watercolour techniques. Suitable for complete beginners to intermediate painters. *

* Booking essential for all workshops, see website for full details or email info@himalayangarden.com 

2026 Opening Dates2nd April – 1st November 2026
Closed Mondays in April – June
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays in July – 1st Nov
Open all Bank Holiday Mondays

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Spring Awakens at The Himalayan Garden as 100 New Sculptures Arrive for 2026

Winter may still have its grip, but the first signs of spring are already breaking through at The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park — and 2026 is shaping up to be its most exciting season yet.

Soaked Ground, Careful Planning

After weeks of relentless rain, the garden team has been working carefully across the grounds, protecting fragile soil from compaction while inspecting plant supports, ties and labels.

More than a third of the debris has been removed from the small pond, restoring balance to its habitat and revealing the striking Lily III sculpture by Ian Marlow at its centre.

Meanwhile, over 300 trees in the Arboretum — including many rare specimens — have been surveyed, relabelled and carefully recorded, with new trees planted to fill gaps and improve the collection.

Early Spring Colour Emerges

Despite grey skies, splashes of colour are beginning to brighten the landscape.

Visitors can already spot:

• The intensely fragrant Daphne bholua var. glacialis ‘Gurkha’

• The vivid red blooms of Rhododendron strigillosum

• The soft pink flowers of Rhododendron ‘Nobleanum Album’

These early performers offer a preview of the spectacular rhododendron, azalea and magnolia displays that will dominate later in spring.

100+ New Sculptures Set for 2026

The headline attraction this year is the arrival of more than 100 new artworks for the 2026 Sculptures in the Landscape exhibition — now in its third year.

Artists are travelling from Spain, America, Ireland, Hong Kong and across the UK to showcase pieces crafted from wood, bronze, ceramics, steel, plastics and even cotton. Over the coming weeks, the garden team will work alongside sculptors to install the diverse collection throughout the landscape.

Traditional Hedge Laying Boosts Wildlife

In the orchard beside the nursery, the team has been hedge laying — a traditional countryside skill that strengthens young hedgerows. The technique encourages dense lower growth, creating valuable habitat for hedgehogs, small mammals and birds such as wrens, while improving flowering and berry production.

Early Bird Ticket Offer Ends Soon

Visitors can save £5 on a 2026 Annual Ticket with the Early Bird offer, available until the end of February via the garden’s website.

Spring 2026 Highlights

Workshops and special events include:

• Felted Picture Workshop – 16 May

• Spring Garden Experience with lunch – 21 May

• Three-Day Botanical Illustration Workshop – 16–18 June

Advance booking is essential for all workshops.

2026 Opening Dates

The garden reopens from 2 April to 1 November 2026.
Closed Mondays (April–June) and Mondays & Tuesdays (July–November), but open on all Bank Holiday Mondays.

As winter fades, the landscape is quietly preparing for a season filled with colour, creativity and global artistry — making 2026 one to watch.

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Newsletter 02/12/2025

Paul Dibb, Head Gardener

As the days grow shorter and the evenings draw in, November brought a unique charm to the garden. Although the main growing season has ended, there is still plenty for us to do as we prepare for winter. Many plants are settling into their winter rest, but a surprising number of shrubs have been flowering out of season—unusual, both in timing and quantity.

Going… Going… Gone

We were very sad to remove the large Chestnut tree along the main drive—one that every visitor will have passed on their way in.

Its removal was a major operation, requiring a specialist felling machine capable of gripping, cutting, and lowering large branches safely to the ground. The tree has left a striking gap, and the garden team is now considering what to plant in its place. Each year we add over 40 new varieties of trees and shrubs to our collection across the garden and arboretum, and this will be another opportunity to enhance the landscape.

Winter Wonderland

November treated us to a beautiful blanket of snow, transforming the garden into a magical winter scene. While picturesque, snow can be damaging to rhododendrons, bamboo, and other branching shrubs. With freezing temperatures forecast and the weight of snow posing a risk, the team spent a very cold and wet day gently tapping and shaking snow from plants throughout the garden.

Winter Jobs

The work certainly doesn’t stop in winter. The team has been preparing for frost by moving tender plants indoors and protecting others with fleece. Fallen leaves are collected to create leaf mould for next year, and we have been pruning dormant trees and shrubs to manage their size and improve light—always taking care not to remove next year’s flower buds from spring-flowering varieties.

The small ponds have now been cleared of leaves, and the prolific Norfolk Reed (Phragmites australis) around Magnolia has been cut back for general management. We always leave some areas undisturbed to provide shelter for our resident wildlife through the winter months.

Bird feeders and water sources are maintained regularly, ensuring fresh food and unfrozen water for local wildlife. A clean bird bath can attract a wonderful variety of garden visitors—just remember to clean equipment frequently to reduce the risk of disease, and keep an eye on any local Bird Flu updates.

Big Butterfly Count

Kate, Gardener

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been reviewing the Butterfly Count sheets kindly completed by so many of our visitors. These records help us compare what we see on site with expected species, note any new arrivals, and look for changes over time. They are an invaluable resource in guiding our work to maintain and improve habitats for butterflies and moths.

Our highest butterfly numbers appear in July, with the Large White and Small White being the most common, followed by the Meadow Brown. We were also delighted to see less common species such as Skippers, Brimstones, and the Common Blue—wonderful additions to the garden’s biodiversity.

What’s Coming in 2026

This winter, we’ll be finalising our 2026 events programme, including a new selection of sculptures for our annual exhibition. Sculptors can apply now: https://theolist.oess1.uk/?status=openforentry

We’re also excited to announce a new Viking Weekend, the return of Dog Day, Forest Therapy workshops, choir performances in the garden, and a series of craft workshops. Keep an eye on the What’s On page of our website for updates.

Early Bird Season Tickets

Get £5 off our 2026 Annual Season Ticket — available now on our website.
A perfect Christmas gift!
www.himalayangarden.com

2026 Opening Dates
2 April – 30 June — Tuesdays–Sundays (plus Bank Holiday Mondays)
6 July – 1 November — Wednesdays–Sundays (plus Bank Holiday Mondays)

We hope you enjoyed this month’s newsletter.
If you have any suggestions or questions about the garden or volunteering with us, we’d love to hear from you.

info@himalayangarden.com

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Discover the beauty of the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, one of North Yorkshire’s most inspiring outdoor attractions, located just a short drive from Harrogate, Ripon, and Masham. Spread across 45 acres of stunning woodland, lakes, and valleys, this award-winning garden is home to over 20,000 plants, including one of the largest collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, and magnolias in the North of England.

Experience Nature & Art in Perfect Harmony

The Himalayan Garden is world-renowned for blending botanical wonder with contemporary art. Visitors can explore more than 90 sculptures thoughtfully placed throughout the landscape — from tranquil lakesides to shady woodland paths — creating a unique and ever-changing outdoor gallery.

Highlights include:

• Breathtaking rhododendron displays inspired by the Himalayan mountains.

• The delicate blue Himalayan poppy (Meconopsis) and other rare plants thriving in the valley’s unique microclimate.

• Three serene lakes, cascading waterfalls, and woodland walks with panoramic views.

• Seasonal sculpture exhibitions by local and international artists.

Family-Friendly & Accessible

With a tearoom, plant nursery, and a woodland playground, the Himalayan Garden is a perfect day out for families, garden enthusiasts, and art lovers alike.
Accessible paths and all-terrain Tramper scooters are available, allowing all visitors to enjoy the gardens comfortably.

Location & Opening Times

Find us near Grewelthorpe, Harrogate (HG4 3DA), in the heart of North Yorkshire’s countryside.
The garden is open seasonally from April to November, with tickets and membership options available on our website: himalayangarden.com

Why Visit the Himalayan Garden Harrogate?

• Award-winning botanical and sculpture park in North Yorkshire.

• A peaceful escape surrounded by natural beauty and Himalayan plants.

• Ideal for photography, art appreciation, and family days out.

• Conveniently located between Harrogate, Ripon, and Masham.

A Garden Like No Other

Whether you’re a keen gardener, an art lover, or simply seeking tranquility, the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park offers an unforgettable experience — a fusion of Himalayan flora, Yorkshire landscape, and outdoor art unlike anywhere else in the UK.

Click Here for Aldborough Roman Site

Plants & Flowers

 

Widely considered to have the North’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias, there are nearly 20,000 plants including some 1,400 rhododendron varieties, 250 azalea varieties and 150 different magnolias. An exciting primula meadow enriches the stunning lakeside walks and the mass plantings of glorious hybrids and drifts of spring bulbs, provide fantastic seasonal interest.

The Park

The park covers 45 acres of stunningly beautiful woodland, gardens and an arboretum; enhanced by 3 lakes, and a number of features for our visitors to enjoy. The landscape comprises of a beautiful valley providing breathtaking views across the park.

Contemporary Sculptures

Discover over 85 striking sculptures in this open-air gallery. From a bronze leopard stalking a roe deer, to a giant floating magnolia and a mini Stonehenge there is something for everyone to enjoy. Each sculpture has been chosen and positioned within the landscape in a way that relates to everything around them; the weather, light, vegetation and the close and long-distance views. It is an active relationship, with each sculpture focusing, intensifying and animating its environment.

Himalayan Garden

Summerhouse

Is an early 20th century thatched wooden summerhouse, complete with benches and a mirror inside. A plaque references Henry & Julius Caesar rustic house builders, Knutsford, Cheshire as the manufacturers. It is topped by a French, early 20th century, painted copper cockerel weather vane (acquired from the same auction house). A perfect size for children to enjoy.

Pagoda

Built in Bali, is a favourite feature for many visitors, with it’s distinctive red legs and oriental features. A specialist team travelled from Bali to the park to assist with the onsite assembly. It is complimented by its lakeside location overlooking the beautiful floating Magnolia sculpture, created by Rebecca Newnham.

Norse Hut

Inspired by the address: The Hutts, Hutts Lane, which derives from the Norse for “Head of the Valley” and refers to a Viking occupation in the area. This impressive Viking Norse Stabbur (hut) was built by a local craftsman, Paul Grainger and his team using timber from our wood.

Arboretum

There are over 300 different trees in these 12 acres including 52 varieties of Oak, 25 Limes, 20 Birches and 17 Acers and some unusuals such as Chitalpa, a Hybrid of the Cigar Tree and Desert Willow, the Broussonetia which is a paper Mulberry and the Catalpas which are Bean Trees. There is also an Oak which is directly descended from the King Alfred’s Oak at Blenheim Palace, which is over 1000 years old.

Himalayan Shelter

Reflects the Kath Kuni architecture of Himachal Pradesh in North West India, in the Himalayas. It has been constructed in cedar wood, which is predominant in this region, at an elevation of 4000m.The walls were erected without any cementing mortar, using alternate courses of dry masonry and wood. The local artisans of this region are famous for their woodcarving. The original examples included on the balcony, are 80 to 100 years old.

Summerhouse

Is an early 20th century thatched wooden summerhouse, complete with benches and a mirror inside. A plaque references Henry & Julius Caesar rustic house builders, Knutsford, Cheshire as the manufacturers. I topped it by a French, early 20th century, painted copper cockerel weather vane (acquired from the same auction house). A perfect size for children to enjoy.

For 2025 we are partnering with the charity Outdoor Mobility who are providing an all-terrain mobility scooter for visitors to hire and use at the garden. Click on this link to find out more and book: The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park Tramper Hire | Outdoor Mobility

Welcome to the Garden

Plants & Flowers
ExploreThe Park
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The Garden Tearoom

Enjoy hot and cold drinks, delicious lunches and afternoon tea with freshly prepared food and friendly service.

Food & Drink 

The Woodland Playground

The woodland playground provides entertainment for children of all ages. Located next to the Garden Tearoom, it’s a great spot for children to play while enjoying some refreshments.

The Plant Nursery

Buy from a selection of seasonal plants from our walled garden near the Ticket Office On sale from April – June,  1pm – 4pm

Plants for sale 

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Dog Walking

We welcome well-behaved dogs, but ask that they are kept on a lead at all times and you clean up after them. Dogs are allowed in the Garden Tearoom and there are plenty of outdoor tables for your use.

Garden History

Peter and Caroline Roberts originally bought the property in 1996, as a privately owned 20 acre woodland garden, which has now been extended to 45 acres

We started the garden because the acid soil, abundance of springs and microclimate is ideal for growing Himalayan plants. The planting enhances our large, internationally recognised art collection and we add more features every year

Himalayan Garden

Valley  Gardens