Bebra Gardens: When I visited this hidden gem in Yorkshire it felt like I stepped into 1993 film The Secret Garden starring Maggie Smith

After spending a full day in the historic town of Knaresborough earlier this week, I was looking forward to taking a relaxing break and I knew where to go.

I had been searching for places to visit that are often overlooked and I stumbled upon a hidden jewel - Bebra Gardens.

The weather was not great as it had been raining non-stop all afternoon, but luckily it did not dampen my spirits.

I got through a lot that day; I wandered around the castle and ruins, Mother Shipton’s Cave, the high street that was filled with charming independent shops, the House in the Rock, the 15th century Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag and many more attractions.

Towards the end of the day, I was ready to be surprised.

It is thought that the garden was around since the construction of the castle in the 12th century and it was named after a small town in Hesse, Germany.

As I made my way to the garden, I followed a path with overgrown bushes and trees to a dry moat surrounding the castle and there were stairs leading up to the garden.

The description on a sign read: ‘To Surprise View and Bebra Gardens’.

As I got to the top of the stairs and looked out, I was blown away and despite the rain and cloudy sky, the view was glorious.

It was a modest size and didn’t take too long to walk around it, but the beautiful plants, trees, and flowers around me instantly lifted my mood. I could hear the birds chirping and I was greeted by a robin redbreast as it perched on a memorial bench in front of me.

The secluded location, abundance of greenery and plethora of wildlife made me feel like I had stepped into the 1993 film The Secret Garden.

This film, which stars Maggie Smith, was a childhood favourite of mine and I felt the nostalgia kicking in as I took in the stunning views.

As a child, I always wished I had a secret garden to escape to every day after watching the film. The older I get the more precious these places are.

Reasons for wanting a secret garden have changed for me over the years. At first it was the excitement knowing it’s only you who knows about it, now it’s all about the calmness and tranquillity, essential for your mental health.

What’s more, this garden had a paddling pool and the space welcomed dogs, so people with families and pets could enjoy it.

Since Covid our appreciation for open gardens and fields has grown massively. Reading a book with a hot beverage while sitting on a bench in a secluded space filled with nature and wildlife is a very precious way to spend the day and my mood was lifted when I was there.

As I walked down the path, I came across a group of young girls who were laughing together and taking pictures. I introduced myself and asked them the simple question: ‘Why do you come here?’

More than 10,000 people already get the Yorkshire Post newsletter - join them here

They told me this was their first time visiting Knaresborough and that they had found the garden spontaneously while they were exploring. They loved the picturesque views and that it was an ideal place to take pictures.

I was on my way out of the garden when I came across another path I had not seen before. It appeared there were multiple entries into the garden, only one had clear signs outside.

Knaresborough is known for many beautiful attractions, some new, some old, but this secret garden isn’t one of them. Part of me feels like it should be, but would it have its charm and allure if it was well known?

Nevertheless, gardens such as this one are vital and we must support them.