Group Publications

Title: Phase 1 Report

Publication Date: 2008
Author: The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group

Title: Weston Hall - A Photographic Record

Publication Date: 2008
Author: The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group
Availability: Not available to the public.

Title: The Story of Nutwith Cote

Publication Date: 2008
Author: The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group
Availability: from Masham Community Office at £2.00

Title: Self-guided Walk around Nutwith Cote (map and historic notes)

Publication Date: 2008
Author: The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group
Availability: from Tourist Information Centre at Pateley Bridge or Masham Community Office at £0.40
Alternatively use this link to download a PDF copy from this web site.

Title: Phase 2 Report

Publication Date: 2011
Author: The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group

Title: The Victorian Gardens of Pateley Bridge (Self-guided walk leaflet)

Publication Date: 2012
Author: The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group
Availability: available from Nidderdale AONB office or use this link to download a PDF copy from the AONB web site.

Title: Grantley Hall Estate - A Photographic Record

Publication Date: 2012
Author: The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group
Availability: Not available to the public.

Title: Self-guided Walk Map, Fountains to Markenfield historic walk

Publication Date: 2014
Author: Nidderdale AONB with The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group, Friends of Markenfield and the National Trust
Availability: By use of this link to download a PDF copy from the AONB web site

Title: 'pleasure ground and promenade: Sparrow Park and The Recreation Ground, Pateley Bridge'

Publication Date: 22nd August 2015
Author: Sheila Wilkins

The intriguing story of Sparrow Park - a small ornamental garden on the banks of the River Nidd - and the adjoining public park known as the Recreation Ground, is told against the background of two significant movements that gathered momentum during nineteenth century: an increasing concern for public health, and the growing interest in tourism as a means of boosting local revenue. The booklet examines the contributions made, over time, by landowners, philanthropists, speculators, local authorities, and the public at large. By the mid twentieth century the park contained most of the elements common to public parks across the country, including promenades, flower gardens, children's play equipment, sporting facilities, and commemorative trees and memorials. The writer draws on local newspaper accounts, historic maps, local authority records, private diaries and log books, photographs, archival ephemera, and local testimonies. Anyone interested in the history of Pateley Bridge would find this booklet of particular relevance.

Availability: Nidd Plus at Pateley Bridge at £2.50

Title: 'Folly to Flower Garden: The Yorkes in Nidderdale'

Publication Date: 22nd August 2015
Author: Margaret Hadley Waterson

The book tells the story of how different generations of the prosperous Yorke family made their mark on the landscape of Yorkshire. From Tudor times to the 18th century, fashionable gardens were developed around their homes in Gouthwaite in Nidderdale, in Richmond and at Newby Hall. The focus of the book then turns to Bewerley Hall near Pateley Bridge which was the Yorke family home in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their designed landscapes ranged from the flower gardens laid out near the Hall to the 18th century folly of "Two Stoops" which still stands high on the moor overlooking this beautiful part of Nidderdale. The development of these and many other aspects of the Yorke's landscape designs are described in the book, from the pleasure grounds, formal gardens, walled kitchen gardens, extensive parklands and woodlands. A wealth of illustrations includes maps, historic photographs taken in the late 19th century by Amy Collins, a skilled amateur photographer, and even reproductions of watercolours painted by Mary Yorke in the mid-19th century. Although the Hall was demolished in the early 20th century, and some of the gardens have disappeared, some features survive and can be glimpsed here and there whilst some of the woodlands and parkland are still accessible. In addition to detailed descriptions of the landscape features, there is much information on how the land was used, and by whom, along with references to many events and activities of the residents of the area around Bewerley and Pateley Bridge.

Availability: Nidd Plus at Pateley Bridge at £9.00

Title: Self-guided Walk Map, from 'folly to flower garden' historic walk

Publication Date: 2016
Author: The Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group

The walk is designed to appeal to readers of the recently published book described above, and includes notes on the history of the features visited, as well as the route description.

Availability: By use of this link to download a PDF copy.

Title: The Gardens, Grounds and Landscape of Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith

Publication Date: 2018
Author: Sheila Wilkins
Availability: Not available to the public.

Title: Birstwith Hall and Gardens, Nidderdale

Publication Date: 2018
Author: Margaret Hadley Waterson
Availability: Not available to the public.