Scampston Walled Garden

Table of Contents

At a glance –

Scampston Walled Garden is a stunning, privately-owned garden around 50 minutes north east of York.

You can visit the walled gardens and the adjacent 18th century Scampston Hall gardens and extensive parkland. On certain summer days, you can also take a tour of privately-owned 18th century Scampston Hall.

It’s a perfect spring and summer York attraction for anyone who loves plants, gardening or being outdoors.

How to get to Scampston Walled Gardens from York

It’s possible to reach Scampston Walled Gardens by public transport but it’s quicker and easier to travel by car.

By car

It’s 26 miles / 42 kms from the centre of York to Scampston Walled Gardens.

Head to York’s outer ring road (A1237) to join the A64 towards Scarborough. Shortly after the village of Rillington, look out for signposts on the left hand side towards Scampston. The walled garden is 2 minutes off the main A64, just after the hamlet of Scampston.

Depending on traffic, the drive will take around 50 minutes. If it’s sunny, you can expect heavy traffic as this is the main route to reach the Yorkshire coast.

Parking is free.

By bus

Catch the 843 Coastliner from outside York rail station to Scampston Lane End, a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes. If you’re not sure where to get off, ask the driver to alert you.

It’s a 15 minute walk from Scampston Lane End to the entrance to the gardens. Take care as some of the road doesn’t have a pavement (although thankfully it’s not a busy road).

By train

You can take the train from York rail station to Malton, around 25 minutes away by train.

From outside Malton station, catch the 843 Coastliner bus towards Scarborough. After 10-12 minutes, get off at Scampston Lane End from where it’s a 15 minute walk to reach the entrance to the gardens.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Malton train station. Station Taxis (01653 696969) have partnered with the Scampston estate to offer a set fare of £13. Quote HYBRID when booking your taxi.

For the best rail prices and for quick and easy booking, I always use Trainline.

Things to do in Scampston Walled Garden

The stunning walled garden and glass house is the main attraction but you can also visit Scampston Hall gardens and parkland.

Set within the walls of an 18th century kitchen garden, the garden was designed by Piet Oudolf and renovated by Sir Charles and Lady Legard, the current owners of Scampston Hall. It opened to the public in 2005.

The walled garden was designed using a naturalistic approach where the seasonal life cycle of a plant and its structural characteristics are more important than the flower or colour of the plant.

As a result, the garden feels less formal than traditional walled gardens and more in keeping with its natural Yorkshire surroundings.

In summer, the plants are a magnet for insects and bees. I particularly like the variation of height, texture and shape of the plants. It doesn’t feel showy and has a calming tranquil feel – even when it’s busy.

Due to its layout and hidden-from-view pockets, the garden never feels crowded (and we’ve visited on packed events days).

Features include the colourful Perennial Meadow, The Silent Garden and The Serpentine Garden. I love the dreamy ‘drifts of grass’ section.

For a great overview of the walled garden, climb ‘the mount’ for a 360 degree view of the garden and estate.

You can also visit the 19th century conservatory and adjacent bothies.

Scampston Hall gardens and parkland

The 80 acre parkland has three trails you can follow. If you’re visiting York with kids, I recommend the Cascade Circuit. It’s less than 1 mile in length and includes the Fairy Forest. The other trails are longer and equally as beautiful.

The gardens and parkland were designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century.

Highlights include The Palladian Bridge, the lake and a range of native trees. Look out for the ‘ha ha’ or sunken fence, a characteristic Capability Brown design.

Scampston Hall

This privately-owned grand Regency country house was built between 1795 and 1800 and remains a family home today.

The tours are well worth doing if you get the chance. The lack of ropes or barriers really makes you feel as if you are in a living house, rather than a museum.

Good to Know

Accessibility

The Walled Garden is flat with good access for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs. You can also borrow a wheelchair and a mobility scooter free of charge (depending on availability).

Dogs are not allowed in the gardens but are allowed on a lead in the parklands. The cafe terrace is also dog friendly.

Everywhere is child friendly but note that the ponds and lakes are not fenced off.

There are public toilets at the entrance to the walled garden.

How long will a visit last?

You’ll need around 2 hours for a comfortable visit (especially if you want to treat yourself to a home baked cake in the restaurant).

If you want to visit Scampston Hall gardens and parklands at the same time, I recommend allocating 3 – 4 hours.

Places to eat in Scampston Gardens

At the entrance to the gardens is ‘The Pantry Cafe And Kitchen’ serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes and lunches.

This Scampston garden cafe is very popular and has a gorgeous outdoor terrace with views over the gardens.

Scampton Walled Garden opening times and prices

The gardens are open from April to October, Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Last entry is 4 pm. The gardens are closed on Monday and Tuesday.

If you want to combine the gardens with a visit to Scampston Hall, you’ll need to visit between mid-May and the end of July.

Hall visits are by guided tour only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Scampton Walled Garden tickets cost £10.50 for adults, £6.50 for children aged 5 – 16 and £29 for a family of five. The tickets give you access to the walled gardens, Scampston Hall gardens and the parkland trails.

A combined ticket to the gardens and a tour of the hall cost £17 for adults, £8 for children and £45 for a family of five.

Children under 5 are free. Entry is also free to members of the RHS and Historic Houses.

Opening times vary each year and events days draw larger crowds than usual. Check current opening times and the events schedule here before you visit.

Is Scampston Walled Garden worth visiting?

If pottering around a beautifully landscaped garden soaking up a myriad of colours, textures and scents doesn’t appeal, then Scampston Walled Garden is not for you!

If you enjoy creative garden design, history and plants, you’ll love it.

I think Scampston is well worth visiting but I would time your visit for a dry day in Spring or Summer to fully appreciate everything that Scampston Gardens has to offer.

I also think it’s a shame that children aren’t free. £29 for a family ticket for a 2 -3 hour attraction may put some families off visiting which is a shame when it’s the next generation of eco-conscious gardeners that we need to be inspiring.

It would be a more budget friendly York attraction if children under 16 were free with a paying adult.