Breezy Knees Gardens and the Yorkshire Arboretum

In Brief.

Breezy Knees is a collection of varied, themed, modern gardens close to York. The themes include those based on the time of year when they are at their best, with gardens for May, June and September, and the site was densely planted and colourful in my June visit (in particular the June garden!).  This is a short drive from The Yorkshire Arboretum, in parkland adjacent to Castle Howard, which includes ancient and more recently planted trees in rolling countryside with an emphasis on open vistas.

The Lawned Garden at Breezy Knees

What's Here?

The Breezy Knees gardens occupy over 20 acres of largely level countryside, which has been divided into a collection of gardens mostly themed by type of planting or time of year. There are various natural routes from garden to garden, including places to sit and take in the views. I had a fairly tight schedule to fit in with the guided tour at the Yorkshire Arboretum, but wished that I had taken a book and could have a lazier time in the gardens first. The lawned garden (pictured) was my favourite, but the June garden was a riot of activity, and there is even a small but varied arboretum, in case one arboretum is not enough. Probably the gardens are at their peak in July.

The Pond and Shade Garden at Breezy Knees

The Yorkshire Arboretum is partly a tourism destination and partly a scientific site, including plantings of rare or important trees through a collaboration with the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. I joined one of the weekly guided tours, which included lots of information on the history of the site and highlighted trees of specific interest, both ancient and more recent. However, visitors are free to wander around the 128 acre site, which includes a pond, a lake and a variety of vistas over grassland and flower meadows. The trees are labelled so you can see what they are, and there are various information points and benches with views in case you brought a book or sketch pad.

Cedar Vista in The Yorkshire Arboretum

The Arboretum also includes a red squirrel habitat, though they were keeping themselves to themselves on my visit.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 88 miles (to Arboretum)

Drive Time: 2 hours

Price: $$ Garden, $$ Arboretum. 

Parking: There is onsite parking at both places.

Food and Drink: There is a bustling cafe at Breezy Knees garden and a particularly pleasant cafe with a view at the Arboretum.

Retail therapy: There is a nursery at Breezy Knees and a small gift shop including some artisanal wooden objects at the Arboretum.

Child Friendly: There is a Kids Trail at Breezy Knees.

Toilets: Yes - at entrances.

Do it justice in: 90 minutes each.

Inside-Outside: 0:100

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