Himalayan Garden
Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park Harrogate – A Hidden Gem in North Yorkshire
Paul Dibb, Head Gardener
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 Out
Our 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 Exhibition
Join 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 Making
Felted Picture Workshop, Saturday 16th 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 2026
Felted 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:
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The intensely fragrant Daphne bholua var. glacialis ‘Gurkha’
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The vivid red blooms of Rhododendron strigillosum
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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:
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Felted Picture Workshop – 16 May
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Spring Garden Experience with lunch – 21 May
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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.
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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:
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Breathtaking rhododendron displays inspired by the Himalayan mountains.
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The delicate blue Himalayan poppy (Meconopsis) and other rare plants thriving in the valley’s unique microclimate.
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Three serene lakes, cascading waterfalls, and woodland walks with panoramic views.
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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?
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Award-winning botanical and sculpture park in North Yorkshire.
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A peaceful escape surrounded by natural beauty and Himalayan plants.
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Ideal for photography, art appreciation, and family days out.
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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
ExploreSculptures
Explore
Enjoy hot and cold drinks, delicious lunches and afternoon tea with freshly prepared food and friendly service.
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
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
