Apple Day At Helmsley Walled Garden

They are such a friendly crew at Helmsley Walled Garden.  We are very lucky to have such a  gem of a place only 6 miles from us. And last Saturday I took Geneva , a Canadian guest, along with me to their Open Apple Day . Mike was there talking about his bee hives. The bees playing their part around the

orchards. We were amazed at the different colour of apple juice that was on show all taken from the Walled Garden ,all bottled up ready to drink.
Then we took a quick walk around the garden and into the Orchid House that was playing host to the harvest of gourds. Every year I say next year I am going to grown some for myself..and another year passes maybe 2017 .
This is certainly a hidden gem of Helmsley and Ryedale too. A charity set up many seasons ago by a very enthusiastic Alison Ticehurst ,a lovely lady and had the privilege of knowing. Her enthusiasm was infectious -well she was our doctor's wife, which lead my Dad to lending them a small plough and I think it is still there.

 

Gardener's Delight

I admire the statley gardens of Castle Howard and Scampston. The Walled Garden in Helmsley with an orchid house and probably my favourite is Hovingham Hall .Wolds Way Lavender has now returned to free entry for 2014 and is home to the only wood burning distillery in the country producing liquid gold.We are lucky to have all these in our area Ryedale. Not too far from here is Harrogate where you can wander around Harlow Carr, The RHS, The Spring Flower fair is held in Harrogate in April.There was a good presence of displays at Thirsk the other week .I took a few photos to tempt you to create your own Garden of Eden.