Bolton Castle Herb Gardens for 2023
Tuesday, 28th March 2023
PRESS RELEASE March 2023
Bolton Castle Launch Revitalised Herb Gardens for 2023
Bolton Castle open their revitalised and refreshed medieval herb gardens from 18 March. Held uniquely in the same family’s ownership for over 600 years, Bolton Castle, near Leyburn in Wensleydale, includes a walled vineyard and Mary Garden, Dyer’s Garden, Rose Garden and maze. Gardener Elizabeth Carter, has spent the last five years thoroughly researching medieval plants, drawing on information from hundreds of websites, books and manuscripts and then completely re-planting the Herb Garden. Set out as a ‘physic garden’, there are also borders dedicated to ‘Poisons & Plague’ and ‘Magic & Myth’ with over 100 different types of plants that might well have originally been grown at Bolton Castle in medieval times.
Set at the foot of the south-facing castle walls, herbs and plants were grown for very specific uses, both culinary and medicinal. An A to Z of the plants is now featured on the Bolton Castle website providing visitors and garden and history lovers with Elizabeth’s research which has come up with some fascinating results.
Know your vulnerary from your culinary! Check out the website Bolton Castle Gardens access to Elizabeth’s extraordinary encyclopedia of plantings at Bolton Castle.
Bolton Castle and gardens is open for the full summer season from 18 March 2023. For ticket prices and the 2023 events’ programme, please visit www.boltoncastle.co.uk.
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Notes to Editors:
About Bolton Castle Gardens
The gardens are set out to feature plants that would have been around from when the castle was built (1379 - 1399) and spanning the next 300 years.
Dyer's Garden – with over 30 species of plant used in the dyeing of cloth
Mary Garden – with over 60 species of plant dedicated to the Virgin Mary
Herb Garden – with over 100 species of plant, including
• Medicinal & Culinary herbs
• Poisons & Plague bed
• Myth & Magic bed
• Doctrine of Signatures bed
• Astrological bed (currently under construction)
• Rose Garden & Rose Arbor, Long borders and Vineyard
About Bolton Castle
Commanding outstanding views across the Yorkshire Dales, Bolton Castle in Wensleydale boasts one of the most romantic settings in Yorkshire. Built as a luxurious home by Sir Richard Le Scrope 600 years ago, Bolton Castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country and uniquely remains under the private ownership of Lord Bolton, a direct descendant of Sir Richard.
The Castle provides a fascinating insight into life within its walls and gardens, with a range of opportunities to see, enjoy and learn how life – warts and all - really was at the castle across the centuries. The castle also holds a unique position in history as the host of Mary, Queen of Scots, purportedly held here in captivity for the longest time, and who enjoyed some luxury which the Scottish Queen will not have experienced at her previous residence, Carlisle Castle. Bolton Castle’s The Solar, the family’s well-appointed suite of rooms, held her and her many servants until her escape with the help of her supporters. Local history reveals that she was eventually recaptured nearby on a hill which today bears the name Shawl Hill, after her shawl was reportedly found revealing her whereabouts.
Brought alive by a series of events and activities for visitors of all ages, the castle with its five floors, daily falconry displays and exceptional country gardens, including a maze and a small but perfectly formed walled vineyard, is the perfect day out for families of all ages, heritage buffs, educational groups and those who just want to enjoy the best that Yorkshire can provide as a day out. Most events are free with entry.
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For media information and images, and photo and filming opportunities, please contact Kendra Grahame-Clarke at Kendra PR on 07910 214474 or email Kendra@kendrapr.co.uk
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Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4ET
Tel: 01969 623981 Email: info@boltoncastle.co.uk