This is very much a garden of two distinct halves; separated by over 200 years and the work of designers that, though different in style, reflect their time. The first was Charles Bridgeman followed shortly afterwards by Lancelot (Capability) Brown and then much later Piet Oudolf.
This is a garden that has benefited from remaining in the same family for over 300 years and the garden’s history, as always, reflects the ups and downs of the family’s fortunes. The present owners can trace their lineage back to one of William the Conquers men and the property came into the family in the 1690s when Sir William St. Quintin, 3rd Baronet (c. 1662 – 30 June 1723) purchased the estate and engaged Charles Bridgeman to remodel the grounds. Unfortunately, it is not possible to isolate what he did as in 1771 the 5th Baronet wrote to Lancelot Brown asking him to remodel the estate of about 1.7 km2 (about 420 acres). Brown submitted his plan in 1773 and the remains of his and Bridgeman’s work can be seen today.
The parkland created contains a serpentine lake formed by damming the Wintringham beck as it passes the Hall. This dam lies just back from the front of the hall and is disguised by a Palladian Bridge credited to Brown. This is decorated by means of timber and plaster work with a solid back to provide shelter and hide the workings of the dam overflow while the arched front provides views south over the artificial lake. About 800 metres south, but hidden by the planting and the lakes meandering, is the grade II listed Scampton Bridge. Faced in stone with three semi-circular arches its original construction dates from c. 1775 and was probably designed by Brown or the 5th Baronet. It was subsequently widened and now carries the A64 between York and Scarborough. Located at a narrowing of lake it would originally provided an imposing view north to the house. This is now obscured by tree growth and the lake to the south of the bridge is silted up with farm land running up to the edge of the lake.
Immediately in front of the house’s south elevation is an area of formal garden with, what is a present, a sadly neglected rockery which will have been added at sometime after Brown. The parkland is somewhat neglected reflecting the decline in the family’s fortunes, but hopefully the present owners will be able to address this as funds permit in the future. (At the time of writing the Palladian Bridge is now undergoing restoration.)
The present owners inherited an estate in poor condition and have spent considerable time. Money and effort turning it round. To do this they have had to monetize where possible. One way was to develop the walled garden which by that time was no longer used or need for it’s original purpose. The walled garden now contains a very attractive garden with tearoom and nursery which has been done with sufficient care and money. The garden was designed by the Dutch designer and nurseryman Piet Oudolf between 1999 and it’s opening to the public in 2005.
The garden is composed of differently themed rooms surrounded by an outer walkway separated from the original garden wall by a mixed border featuring a wide selection of choice plants. The overall effect is an attractive and pleasing one. It’s one failing is that it was created as visitor attraction rather than a garden solely for its creator’s pleasure. This does show, and the garden has a feel of a show garden to be admired rather than lived in.
Is it then really a garden? Possibly not, but that does not distract from a what is a beautiful spaced filled with well-chosen plants.
