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TWO ‘secret’ gardens in North Yorkshire have been celebrated in national awards for offering outstanding days out to visitors.
Helmsley Walled Garden and Scampston Walled Garden, Malton, have won ‘hidden gem’ awards in VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades 2020-21, while RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate scooped gold.
The accolades celebrate excellence and showcase businesses that go the extra mile to provide a high quality day out, through a warm welcome, an engaging story, a delicious lunch or the overall visitor experience.
The winners were singled out by their scores in VisitEngland’s annual visitor attraction quality scheme assessment, with venues assessed in both 2020 and 2021 included due to closures over the past year.
Helmsley Walled Garden, which features in the film, The Secret Garden, starring Colin Firth, Julie Walters and Dixie Egerickx, is an independent charity managed by a small staff team with a band of volunteers.
Built in 1759, the garden has been welcoming visitors for more than 25 years, showcasing its borders, glasshouses and orchards while offering time out at its Vine House Café.
The award-winning Scampston is renowned for both its contemporary garden, by Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf, and its traditional ‘Capability’ Brown parkland.
VisitEngland director Andrew Stokes said the accolades put the attractions back in the spotlight and recognised ‘the amazing experiences available’.
“They also acknowledge the people who bring the attractions to life through their unparalleled customer service.
“Now, more than ever, we need these attractions to encourage and remind us to get out and explore the amazing tourism on offer across England, driving recovery and economic benefits through the regions.”
Yorkshire winners include:
• Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley – Quality Food & Drink
• Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes – Hidden Gem
• Helmsley Walled Garden, Helmsley – Hidden Gem
• National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield – Welcome
• RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate – Gold
• Scampston Walled Garden, Malton – Hidden Gem
• The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield – Gold
• Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster – Gold
Other winners around the country include
the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre in Lincoln, in the Welcome category; the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester – Gold
Lincoln Castle, Lincoln – Welcome
Beth Chatto Gardens, Colchester – Welcome
The National Horse Racing Museum, Newmarket – Gold
Tower Bridge Exhibition, London – Gold
Alnwick Garden, Alnwick – Gold
Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum, Darlington – Gold
Killhope Lead Mining Museum, Bishop Auckland – Best Told Story
Raby Castle, Darlington – Welcome
RSPB Saltholme Nature Reserve, Middlesbrough – Gold
Seven Stories, Newcastle Upon Tyne – Best Told Story
Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead – Hidden Gem
• The Gardens at Wynyard Hall, Billingham – Welcome
Chester Zoo, Chester – Gold
Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool – Gold
• Muncaster Castle, Gardens & Owl Centre, Ravenglass – Best Told Story
Quaker Tapestry Museum, Kendal – Hidden Gem
Bletchley Park, Bletchley – Gold
Paultons Park, Romsey – Gold
• Roman Baths, Bath – Quality Food & Drink
• The Salisbury Museum, Salisbury – Hidden Gem
Cadbury World, Birmingham – Gold
National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas – Gold
The Coffin Works, Birmingham – Best Told Story
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