1. The Gardens Trust, North Regional Forum,
Research & Recording
The Gardens Trust, North Regional Forum,
2nd December 2016, York

2. Historic Designed Landscapes Project
Overall aim to research and record all of Yorkshire’s important historic designed landscapes
To understand the development of historic parks and gardens across Yorkshire
To identify what is significant at a regional level
This will aid conservation and planning

3. Issues faced Complexity and size of ‘Yorkshire region’
Seen as too large a project to undertake
Previous R&R concentrated on small areas such as the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Perceived lack of volunteer expertise
Finally started in 2012 with test area of East Riding
Now working in Selby and Hambleton districts of North Yorkshire

4. Current estimate of historic parks and gardens in Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
East Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
Total = 449 56
232 67

5. Current situation 449 sites identified so far 121 on HE Register
281 on P&G UK database (though some are brief entries i.e. no detailed history or description)
52 on ‘Research’ list in various stages of completion (excluding CB300 research)
18 volunteers across 3 areas

6. Process of identification
Not scientific!
Mix of existing sources such as previous lists plus old OS map evidence
National Library of Scotland site excellent to see what was there and what remains
List to research mainly based on:
site’s scope (size, interesting features, ‘layers’, designers)
current situation (is there anything left!)
availability of archive material

8. Task ahead Total number probably an underestimate
Only tackled 3 areas out of possible 18 (Doncaster looked at by local Council)
Area
Total number of sites
Number on HE Register
Number added to P&G UK
East Riding 49 8 19
Selby 32 2
Up to 20
Hambleton 46 4
Up to 38

9. On-going issues
Keeping volunteers enthused and engaged in long process
Historic report
Site recording
Statement of significance
Owners - how do we find out who they are, gain their trust, gain access to look at the sites
Can we write statements of significance without walking the landscape/ doing site recording of survival?