THE wonderful Parcevall Gardens at Skyreholme, near Appletreewick will open this weekend and will remain open every day until the end of October. A treat for gardeners of all abilities, the gardens this year mark the 125th anniversary of the visionary man who rebuilt the hall and designed and created the gardens.

GARDEN enthusiasts from far and wide will be making their way to Parcevall Hall Gardens, near Appletreewick, from this weekend (March 30).

The hall itself, now a retreat house and conference centre of the Church of England Diocese of Leeds, is not open for visitors, although it is possible to get up close to the hall, and appreciate its architecture. The gardens however, are open every day from this weekend to the end of October, and are one of the best places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales National Park - and not just for keen gardeners.

This year marks a special anniversary for the gardens, it being the 125th anniversary of the birth of William Milner (1893-1960). Milner was later to become Sir William, a far-sighted architect, ‘gentle-giant’ horticulturalist and plantsman who rebuilt the hall before designing and creating the gardens to be totally in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Sir William, who stood a formidable 6ft 7ins, had the vision to take full advantage of the geography of Skyreholme and create a unique garden on wild, windswept moorland.

The result is a garden that provides unrivalled interest in its part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park with visitor numbers increasing year on year.

Located at the head of a small valley, the gardens are a hidden treasure and well worth seeking out.

Filled with surprises at each turn and corner the 24 acres of formal and woodland gardens rise up the hillside and command impressive views along Wharfedale.

A walk around the grounds, which are augmented with reflective pools and splashing streams, reveal many specimen trees and shrubs collected from Western China and The Himalayas.

It also includes a rock garden which contains more than a thousand plants and is considered to be the best in Northern England. There is also an historic rose garden

including some 300 varieties and, an old and unusual apple collection which grows alongside some more recent additions.

The colourful and intricate formal terraces by the hall itself provide wonderful vantage points from where visitors can pause to appreciate the sheer beauty of the surroundings.

Sir William, whose godmother, Queen Mary, was a regular visitor to Parcevall Hall, was a reluctant socialite.

His final major project was as a founder member and second honorary director of the Northern Horticultural Society, in which he helped pioneer the setting up and development of Harlow Carr Gardens, near Harrogate.

Once completed, Parcevall Hall was to become Sir William’s home for thirty years and he continued to develop the gardens up to his death in 1960.

The structured areas of the gardens are balanced with woodlands that are a haven for wildlife, inter-linked with many garden rooms to discover on the way.

For the energetic, a cliff walk overlooking the limestone valley of Trollers Gill provides a dramatic vista.

After Sir William’s death the gardens were left to decline up to the middle of the 1980s when a restoration programme was put into place.

Although the gardens can now be seen as having returned to their former glory, they are also enjoying a vibrant renaissance and are forever changing.

Over the winter, a team of gardeners has been busy preparing for the new season, with the results of their labours now beginning to show, and ready for the new season of visitors.

Spring Rhododendrons and Daffodils are beginning to thrive, along with the spring flowering bulbs and shrubs.

A new small bird hide with some bird feeders have also been added in the wilderness area with young plantings put in around it.

Described as one of Yorkshire’s most glorious gardens, Parcevall Hall Gardens are a gardeners delight as well as a wonderful place to visit for anyone seeking peace, tranquility and picturesque surrounds. The gardens are open every day until October 31, from 10am to 6pm (last admission 5pm).

Admission is £7 for adults, £6 for seniors and free for children under 12 years old. RHS members have free access during August, September and October.

Further information about Parcevall Hall Gardens and contact details can be found by visiting: parcevallhallgardens.co.uk