An overarching objective of Yorkshire Gardens Trust is to raise awareness of the importance of historic parks and gardens in Yorkshire.
Historic parks and gardens are a fragile and finite resource. They can easily be damaged beyond repair or lost forever which is why the Conservation and Planning sub-committee uses its knowledge to advise on how they can be maintained and managed in the future. Entries on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England are divided into three grade bands. The majority of sites to merit a national designation, are designated at Grade II. However around 30% are considered to be of exceptional historic interest and are II* with a further 10% of international importance and are Grade I.
In Yorkshire there are nine Grade I sites: Castle Howard, Duncombe Park, Rievaulx Terrace, Hackfall, Studley Royal, Sledmere House, Wentworth Castle, Bramham Park and Harewood House. Examples of Grade II* sites are: Burton Constable, Aldby Park, Ebberston, Scampston Hall, York Cemetery, Londesborough Park, Brodsworth Hall, Sandbeck Park & Roche Abbey, Sheffield General Cemetery, Wentworth Woodhouse, Ledston Hall, Peel Park in Bradford and People’s Park in Halifax.
YGT's conservation committee has a breadth of expertise and meets regularly to assist with the conservation and management of these unique assets in our county.
- Committee members themselves have skills, plus access to others with skills, that include historic building conservation, landscape conservation, archaeology, architecture and landscape architecture.
- For details of how the group responds to planning applications affecting parks and gardens see our Planning Applications page.
- Examples of the conservation committee’s past cases at individual locations and summaries of all the group’s work can be viewed on our Case Work page.
- For help and advice on conserving an historic park or garden please see the comprehensive advice from The Gardens Trust.
- YGT conservation group organises occasional training events in Yorkshire for groups interested in conserving aspects of our designed parks and gardens. See the full set of training materials produced by The Gardens Trust.
- If you would like information on how YGT might contribute to assist your garden or landscape project in Yorkshire please see our Small Grants page.
If you wish to contact YGT conservation group on any of these subjects or would like to help the group with this work please contact conservation@yorkshiregardenstrust.org.uk.
