Goddards: Hidden gem of a garden set to reopen to visitors
Walking along Tadcaster Road – that ancient thoroughfare into York city centre – the high brown closed gates of Goddards are easily missed.
But from this weekend they will open once again for those who want to discover a secret oasis of tranquility. For hidden behind them are a remarkable set of ‘garden rooms’ once cultivated by one of York’s most well known families – the Terrys, of confectionery fame.
The gardens, now run by the National Trust, close each winter but from March 1 they will reopen to the public to explore over the spring and summer.
Inside they will find an impressive variety of garden styles - from a rock garden complete with wildlife ponds, to a formal terrace and herbaceous border.
And over the winter months, a team of 15 dedicated volunteer gardeners, headed up by National Trust employee Tom Longridge, have been hard at work getting the grounds ready again.
Goddards’ gardens were designed in the 1920s by George Dillistone, and his vision, centred in the Arts and Crafts movement, is still faithfully adhered to by the team today.
Mr Longridge, senior gardener, said: “People often ask what we do over the winter. There are a whole host of garden jobs to tackle, pruning being a big one.
“We have an orchard which we prune, forty-odd apple and fruit trees. There’s amazing wisteria on the sunny side of the house, and various shrubs which need now-and-again pruning when they start taking up too much shape.
“Other jobs are continuing with weeding. You have to stay on top of composting, we process a lot of own waste year. It’s nice on a cold day to keep that turning, it keeps us warm.
“And for the last few years we’ve been revamping the rock garden, reclaiming it from ivy and self-seeding shrubs and weeds.
“It’s on an incredible scale for a domestic garden and is something we want to make the most of.”
Mr Longridge has worked at Goddards for ten years, but his love of the garden is undimmed.
He said: “The garden survives exactly as it was designed by Dillistone, and it’s a testament to his skills that it has a wonderful feel and framework.
“It sits here with a commanding view over York Racecourse. The Terrys in their day would be able to see straight over to their factory.
“I love the size and style of the garden. As a gardener, you can’t help but get quite attached to it, and I love that we’ve been able to develop it. We’ve planted the orchard and developed the vegetable garden. Those processes have been a joy to be part of as you really feel you’re making a difference.”
And Goddards’ tucked-away nature only adds to the appeal, he said. “You have to work a little bit hard to get here,” said Mr Longridge. “It’s something a lot of people discover. People are surprised by the size of it. It’s a real gem of a garden. It’s so peaceful and tranquil here, a natural space with birds singing, a wonderful escape from the hurley-burley of the city.”
To launch the new year, on Saturday February 28, local residents will have the chance to enjoy exclusive access as part of York Residents’ Festival. For one day only, this special offer provides free access for York residents to explore the gardens before the official spring opening from March 1.