Historic estate’s water garden to be restored to former glory

The project will see the Water Garden at the National Trust’s Studley Royal estate, near Ripon, transformed to its 1781 heyday to reflect the works of the former owner John Aislabie as well as the later additions of his son, William.

An 18th century garden feature known as a bosquet – which is a group of trees planted in a straight line or geometric shape – will be restored.

The bosquet design was influenced by late 17th century French fashions and used throughout the garden at Studley Royal with English yew used as the hedging plant.

The first phase of the restoration project will see about 50 older trees removed to make way for new planting in the spring of next year.

Staff from a local nursery, Johnsons of Whixley, are currently growing 300 specially selected close growing yews for planting in the water garden.

The garden will remain open to the public throughout the project and none of the main paths through the grounds will be affected. Fencing will be erected around the area of work, which will focus on the area between the Rustic Bridge and the bank alongside the canal towards the lake at Studley Royal.

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