Mount Grace Priory in north Yorkshire is due to benefit from a significant investment in its gardens, and the project is being led by award-winning garden designer, Chris Beardshaw.
Mount Grace is described as one of the best surviving examples of a Carthusian priory in England. The story of the Medieval monastery will be celebrated with renovations to the surrounding gardens, through an investment of over £120,000.
The design of the new gardens will make use of the existing landscape architecture at the front of the 17th century mansion. Fresh new plants will be introduced, additional work will improve the woodland area, and new interpretation panels, trails, tours and activities will be introduced to bring the stories of the site to life.
The improvements and redesigns will be carried out by English Heritage under the creative direction of award-winning garden designer, broadcaster and author, Chris Beardshaw, who was one of this year’s Seminar Speakers at the Group Leisure & Travel Show 2017.
Beardshaw will be joining the team to rejuvenate the Arts and Crafts garden. A new café will be created near the orchard and there will also be restorations to the wildflower meadow and a re-planting of the monk's garden, guided by recent research into how the monk's would have used this multi-functioning space.
Further highlights of the project will include a renovation of the upper and lower terraces, and the dell garden, enhancing the Arts and Crafts style of these areas. There will also be the replacing of the self-seeded outer courtyard bank with meadow type grassland to encourage wildlife and create an informal play space for families.
The redevelopment project is being funded thanks to a grant awarded by The Wolfson Foundation. The changes are hoped to open to the public by spring 2018.
For further information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.
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