'I'm head gardener at Newby Hall - I'm so lucky to work in one of my favourite places in Yorkshire'

We came up on a family holiday when I was in my early teens.

The first impression was that it was cold and wet and windy – and we were staying in a caravan in Filey, one of those static ones on the cliffs, and getting the worst of what was, to me, an awful gale.

We got there in the early evening, but, the next day, the sky was blue, everything had calmed down a bit, and I could see that things were far nicer.

We went to a lot of places along the coast – Bridlington, Scarborough and Whitby, and I rather enjoyed myself. That I was later to come and live here permanently never once crossed my mind.

What’s your favourite part of the county – and why?

We’re all busy people these days, but there is nothing more relaxing for me that to get out into the Dales, and there is a unique beauty to them whatever the weather may be.

My favourite period, I think, is August, when the heather is in flower. I’m so lucky to also work in one of my favourite places – the gardens here at Newby.

What’s your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire?

It’s ‘busman’s holiday’ time, I’m afraid, because whenever we get the opportunity my partner Richard and I love to get out in the county, and to see what others are doing with their gardens.

The National Gardens Scheme, where private owners throw their gardens open for a day or so is wonderful – except that it always seems that when I have the free time, they’re not open on that particular day.

Do you have a favourite walk – or view?

From Bolton Abbey up to Simon’s Seat, where the moors start. Those waterfalls, the rivers, the heather, and a view of Appletreewick. Can’t be beaten.

Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, or past or present, would you like to take for dinner?

Dame Judi Dench, and for several reasons – eloquent, articulate, warm, witty, and the fact that she loves trees, and is passionate about gardening.

She’s named trees for her friends in her garden, in memory of each of them, and I think that is such a compassionate thing to do – knowing that a tree brings back so many happy memories.

If you had to name your Yorkshire ‘hidden gem,’ what would it be?

How Hill Tower, the folly in the grounds of Studley Royal Park, next to Fountains Abbey. It was built in 1719 by John Aislabie, and its Grade II listed.

The Tower is there because he felt that the landscape was lacking something, and this was his solution – it’s what is called “an eye-catcher,” and it certainly does that, it’s beautiful.

If you could own one thing in Yorkshire for a day, what would it be?

Please cordon off that strip of coastline just a few miles below Whitby, to a few miles above it, and let me have unsupervised access to the beaches and cliffs, where I can go fossil hunting where-ever I like, with no interruption.

And, please, could I actually find some rare and beautiful ammonite, that I could keep as a souvenir of my scrabbling about?

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

There’s a deep sense of ownership and pride, a love of everything that is in the county, and people here love sharing that.

They are so welcoming, and they want to talk about the place. And I know of few other places where you can leave the big cities behind you in only a matter of moments, and be in such stunning countryside.

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

We’re not really ‘pub people,’ but we love E-Sushi in Ripon, a small independent that does the best the there is, totally authentic and admirable.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

It’s a matter of practicality for the everyday needs, so the nearest branch of Lidl will be perfectly okay – but for the really nice ‘treat yourself’ items, it must be Lewis and Cooper in Northallerton, who are the Fortnum and Mason of the North.

How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you’ve known it?

I’ve only been here for four and a half years, but it’s been remarkable how the county has recovered from the pandemic, and started to leave all that isolation behind it.

Mind you, one of the things about isolation was that we all talked on phones so much more, and I wish people would revert to looking at all the beautiful things around them, rather that concentrating on a tiny mobile screen. See a lovely garden, or a view, and love that moment!

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

Alan Titchmarsh, who was never off TV when I was growing up – Gardeners World, Ground Force, and all that stuff.

To me he was a hero – because he was talking about things that I loved - and other lads at school weren’t the slightest bit interested in what was then my hobby.

He opened up the whole idea of gardening for me, and he did it with enthusiasm, and I have to be grateful to him for that.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

How could I not be inspired by everything around me, the gardens, the wider landscape, the natural beauty? I love my job, and I’m so lucky that nature gives us something new, every single day.

It never stays still for a second, and that’s inspirational.

Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer.

The amazing photographer, sculptor and conservationist Andy Goldsworthy, who is beautifully represented in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. His installations are inspirational.

If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, it would be?

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, and try to get away from the places near to the car parks – explore the walks and trails in the woods, there’s so much that it literally off the beaten track. You’ll suddenly turn a corner, and be instantly impressed with the views, the colours, the structures. The place is plant perfection.

Newby Hall and Gardens are now open (Wednesday – Sunday) newbyhall.com