'Rydal - Rydal Hall Gardens'

Rydal Hall, Ambleside, LA22 9LX. Tel 015394 32050.
Email: Bookings@rydalhall.org
2 miles North of Ambleside.

Location : Rydal Village
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 367064

Photo by Ann Bowker

Built in the 16th Century, Rydal Hall was the home of the le Fleming family. The house has subsequently been much altered, including the addition of the Victorian south range shown above.

In 1963 Rydal Hall became a conference centre and retreat owned by the Diocese of Carlisle. There is a formal garden with geometric beds, set against natural rolling woodland. On both sides of the garden are arbours created by concrete columns supporting wooden lintels which support climbing roses.

The formal garden at Rydal Hall was designed in 1909 by Mr Thomas Mawson (1861-1933), and is a splendid example of the work of the leading garden designer of the day, whose work is of national and international renown. The garden is of particular historic interest for the extensive use of exposed aggregate precast concrete, instead of more usual stone, to form the main elements in the design - a very early use of concrete in this way. The Carlisle Diocese in association with The Cumbria Gardens Trust and in consultation with English Heritage are restoring this lovely formal garden.

From the formal garden the sound of rushing water can be heard. Water crashes over a series of high waterfalls down a rocky ravine, through the rocky banks of a wooded garden. The oldest 'viewing house' in the country (1669) is sited below the lower fall, but is not open to the public.

Photo by Ann Bowker

There are mosses, native flora and trees, including a Sweet Chestnut, some 500 years old and with a girth of 36 feet. The gardens are still being restored, but it is an interesting garden, especially the contrast between formal garden and rocky ravine.

The gardens contain the sculpture Escape to Light by the internationally renowned sculptress Josefina de Vasconcellos of Ambleside, when she was 91. Escape to Light is a symbolic work - the large head of the dragon representing the evil and wickedness of the world, much of which comes from man himself, with his spirit escaping through the wide-open mouth.

Josefina de Vasconcellos carving 'Escape to Light' at Rydal Hall Gardens in 1996.

The reverse side (above) shows the wind, waves and wild flying geese combining forces in the flight to freedom. Some help was received from the sculptor Shaun Williamson, whose work appears nearby.

Garden always open. Free admission. Donations welcome. There is a ramblers tea shop on the public footpath which runs behind the Hall.

The nearby chapel of St Mary was built by Lady le Fleming, on a site below Rydal Mount, which she owned and rented to William Wordsworth between 1813 and 1850.

For more information see www.rydalhall.org.

BBC News: Historic gardens to be restored

Rydal Hall Gardener Tom Attwood's Blogs

Jackie Brass is the millennium volunteers co-ordinator based at Brockhole, and is actively recruiting people who might be interested in working here on the project. For more information contact :

Jackie Brass,
Millennium Volunteers in Communities Co-ordinator
BTCV
Brockhole National Park Centre, Windermere, LA23 1LJ
Tel: 0773 944 8003 or 015394 43098
Email: mv-windermere@btcv.org.uk
Web: www.btcv.org