The woodland garden was probably laid out in the 1880’s and complements the house that was rebuilt by William Atkinson of York for the Hon H.E. Butler (later 13th Viscount Mountgarret) between 1876 and 1879, the estate having been bought for him by his great-aunt, Miss Rawson of Nidd Hall. The woodland garden incorporated the lakes, cascades, bridges, woodland walks, the drive and more open park area below the house and between the two fish ponds/lakes. The park was a large area of mown grass with groups of exotic conifers, shrubs and ornamental heathers. Further exotic conifers and deciduous trees were added to the existing woodland as accents in the composition. Comparisons can be made with Titus Salt’s Milner Field laid out by Robert Marnock in the 1870’s.
