Hall makes history by opening secret gardens

Next Sunday (July 25) Goldsborough Hall, the stately home near Harrogate, will open its gardens to the public for the first time in 80 years. The last time the 11-acre gardens were open was in 1930 when the hall was the home of Princess Mary.

Goldsborough Hall is a privately-owned stately home built in 1625 by Sir Richard Hutton, a prominent London lawyer of his day. In the 1750s, the hall was purchased by the Lascelles family who owned it for nearly 200 years. The house has changed hands several times since then, and was used as a nursing home from 1983 until 2003 when Bupa closed it. Mark and Clare Oglesby purchased the hall in 2005.

Elizabeth Balmforth, the newly appointed curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, will officially open the gardens, which have been restored by the Oglesbys.

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Elizabeth said: "I think that opening these gardens will be a wonderful occasion, especially for children as we at the RHS want to encourage people to become passionate about nature and gardening from an early age."

Goldsborough Hall gardens will be open from noon-5pm. Adults 3.50, children free. All proceeds will be donated to the NGS.

Visit www.goldsboroughhall. com or www.ngs.org.uk (01423 867321).

YP MAG 17/7/10

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