Lotherton Hall Gardens

About Lotherton Hall Gardens

The gardens at Lotherton were designed by Gwendolen Gascoigne as a series of enclosed gardens between 1893 and 1914, and changed little before her death in 1949. In 1893 she began turning the old walled garden into an "old-fashioned" garden of roses, herbaceous borders, scented flowers and climbers, and she later planted a Scottish-themed garden of heaths behind the house.

The estate is now run by Leeds Museums and Galleries for Leeds City Council. The Edwardian gardens cover about eight acres and are being gradually restored, including a project to renew the walled garden's rose beds, with a second phase planned for 2027.

What to see

• The Walled Garden, with rose beds, borders and tender climbers.
• The William and Mary Garden, with a sunken pond and plant walls.
• The rock garden, made from part of the Victorian shrubbery, with winding sunken paths.
• The terrace garden, first planted as a Scottish garden in the early 1900s and being restored by local volunteers.
• The orchard, planted in 2005 with 109 varieties of fruit tree.
• The Deer Park, with a red deer herd, a hide and a covered picnic area.

Planning your visit

Lotherton is on Lotherton Lane near Aberford, east of Leeds, reached from M1 junction 47 or A1 junction 42. Admission includes parking, and online tickets are cheaper. The hall, Wildlife World, café and shop have shorter hours than the estate.

A large part of the timber play area is closed while a new adventure playground is built, though the fenced area for younger children is open. In October the estate runs a pumpkin field, with a separate charge.