Our interpretation was inspired by Sir William Turner’s (1615 – 1693) business in the dying industry of the 17th Century - he exported local Alum around the world as a mordant to fix dyes in fabrics with great success.  This funded construction, using special bricks imported from the Low Countries.

Prior to this project, the walled garden had become neglected and whilst its listed walls still stood, the garden itself had become overgrown and rarely used.

In tandem with the historic references Colour developed a year-round activity calendar to drive design within the walled garden so as to help support a full programme of events to attract as many visitors as possible.  This helped the key garden zones :

• Hospitality gardens associated with the tea rooms

• Dyers’ gardens showcasing plants that produce natural dyes and structures once used to dry the fabric

• Science gardens for wonder and delight

• A working kitchen garden to reflect the historic use of the site

• The timeless challenge of a maze

• Plant sales to take something of Kirkleatham home and generate some revenue

A series of water features links the walled garden along a central axis and has drawn influence from the current network of open water drainage through the estate

Kirkleatham is now firmly on the circuit of destination walled gardens in the north of England and maintenance is assisted by a strong volunteer base.

Our design is dedicated to the fond memory and help of Patricia Owens for her valuable plant history research for the walled garden.  We would like to share one of her immortal lines :

‘in the 18th Century, the pineapple replaced the melon as the most highly-prized fruit’

Thank you Pat