OUR GARDENS
A gardener’s paradise, a stunning backdrop and a peaceful haven.
OUR GARDENS ARE OPEN
FROM EASTER TRHOUGH END OCTOBER
Our gardens offer a special experience for everyone.
The enchanting 10-acre gardens at Otley Hall have been made by many hands over many years. Reflecting an exquisite blend of wild and structural features, the gardens are a fluid space that never stand still, much like the water underfoot that feeds the ponds.
The gardens provide visitors with a veritable feast for the senses from every aspect, with vibrant borders, wooded areas, charming water features and nods to medieval design throughout.
THE GARDEN DESIGN
Elements of the garden have been inspired by the designs of Francis Inigo Thomas, the famous Edwardian landscape gardener, including the H-shaped Canal and Mount. His vision will continue to inspire the gardens at Otley Hall as we plan to bring other ideas from his original design to life and, with a bright new vision, enter a new chapter of growth in the gardens.
Our beautiful Elizabethan-style knot garden, traditional herber and orchard were designed by Sylvia Landsberg, garden historian and author of “The Medieval Garden”. More recently, in 2009, a striking labyrinth was added to the gardens, based upon the one in Chartres Cathedral.
The gardens offer an inviting series of different spaces to explore, with the added chance of stumbling across one of the Hall’s majestic Indian blue or white peacocks. Take a stroll through the wooded areas filled with birdsong, walk the labyrinth, or climb the grassy mount to give a stunning perspective of the gardens at Otley Hall.
Wildlife & Conservation
Our resident peacocks are always on hand to enchant visitors, but take a quiet moment on one of the many benches and you might see some of the 75 species of bird noted in the grounds by Percy Thrower. We are fortunate to have various species of duck, moorhens, green woodpeckers and heron. If you are very lucky, you may just spot a kingfisher, hobby or perhaps even an otter – all have been seen in the grounds. We also know that there are rudd and crayfish in the H-canal and many other fish in the moat.
Our gardens host an abundance of wildlife and conservation plays an important role at Otley Hall. Particular care has been taken to encourage the growth of wildflowers and hedgerows to preserve the natural habitats of our native flora and fauna; ongoing efforts include building up the wooded areas as woodland to support further wildlife.
We hope that all our visitors to the gardens of Otley Hall will appreciate its beauty and diversity.
ADMISSION & OPENING HOURS
Tuesday through Friday visitors can enjoy a relaxing self-guided stroll through the gardens paired with a visit to Martha’s Barn Café. We can arrange historic garden tours in small groups by private appointment for budding horticulturalists.
TUESDAY-SATURDAY: 10AM-4PM
Last admission 3.30pm
Adult - £5.50
Child (5-15) - £2.25
Children under 5 years - FREE
Students - £2.25
We allow well behaved dogs in our gardens and in Martha’s Barn Cafe. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
Picnicking is not permitted in our gardens.