Bowcliffe Hall Gardens

We were fortunate to have the opportunity for an exclusive visit to Bowcliffe Hall. In 1841, the Hall was bought by George Lane Fox of neighbouring Bramham Park which had been burnt down in a devastating fire in 1828. Bowcliffe was originally partially built by William Robinson, a cotton-spinning magnate from Manchester and completed by John Smythe, who also created gardens of the ‘utmost taste and judgement’ in the early 18^th century.

Bramham was rebuilt and the Lane Fox family moved back. Bowcliffe was sold to aviation pioneer Robert Blackburn, and later it became the head office of the Bayford group of companies, most famous for oil distribution. In 2008, a multi-million renovation transformed the house to be used as offices, for weddings and events and a drivers’ club whilst AWB Associates recreated flower gardens and lawns and walks.

The Head Gardener Dave Petherbridge gave an introductory talk and took us on a tour of the garden after refreshments in The Potting Shed.

Photos: Clive Nichols courtesy of the photographer/Bowcliffe Hall

Please see Yorkshire Gardens Trust e-Bulletin 11, December 2023, p.13.

https://www.yorkshiregardenstrust.org.uk/sites/yorkshiregardenstrust.or…