Aysgarth Edwardian Rock Garden
Aysgarth Edwardian Rock Garden was commissioned by Frank Sayer-Graham (1859-1946). He was a local landowner who traded in silver rabbits fur which he farmed at the purpose built warren, below the renowned Lady Hill, to the west of Aysgarth. It is reputed that he supplied the last Czar of Russia with fur for a stole. He also exported rare gulls eggs to Europe.
Upon his father’s death, Frank and his first wife Mary moved back to Frank’s childhood home, Heather cottage (opposite the rock garden) and proceeded to convert it into a state of the art Edwardian house, embracing the Arts & Crafts movement of the time.
Franks overriding passion however was for things horticultural. He planted fields of tulips and daffodils as well as at least two plantations of trees around the village. Rose Cottage (renamed Springhill) was his own private nursery.
The Rockery in 1907 with seating in front of the rockery
It was of course the era of the great plant hunters, such as Reginald Farrer, who were bringing new and exciting plants into the country for the first time.
Over in York were the famous alpine specialists and nurserymen Mssrs. James Backhouse & Son whose nursery at the time was larger than Kew.
Rock gardening was undergoing a popular revival and the Backhouse nursery led the field in the building of walk-through Rock Gardens, typically in large estates, to house the new and fashionable plants, that were arriving from overseas, in a natural setting.
At the Backhouse nursery at Acomb was their own show piece Rock Garden and also an underground fernery. Sadly the nursery was demolished in the 1950s.
In 1906 Frank Sayer-Graham commissioned Backhouse to create his own personal Rock Garden complete with mountain stream and pool.
The development took the best part of 8 years, the rock being brought down from Stephen’s moor at Thornton Rust. Each boulder was transported on a low horse-drawn cart.
The construction was overseen by one of Backhouses top foremen WA Clark.
He was paid £1 a day, always wore gloves, carried a small gavelock (crowbar) and went home every third week
Frank 1920
To the rear of the Rock Garden, Frank planted a vegetable garden, his own personal touch. As the sign says on the gate this was very much a private garden.Locals who remember Frank all bear testimony to the fact that they were not welcome in his garden.
This is a photo of Herbert Robinson who was gardener/handyman to Mrs. Sayer. His nickname was Bonar Calino after a famous film star of the time.
Herbert came from Newbiggin in Bishopdale and was employed by Mrs Sayer to re-plant and look after the rock garden. He also made quite a few alterations to the layout of the rock garden. Children of the time recall Mrs Sayer-Graham rapping on the windows of heather cottage if they even touched the railings.
Following Franks death, the Rock Garden has had several owners. In 1988 when it was proposed to demolish the Rock Garden and develop the site, there was local uproar and English Heritage had it emergency Grade 11 listed, highly unusual as listing normally only covers buildings.
One owner, determined to make it a money making venture selling garden gnomes. Having spent good money on a TV advertising campaign the venture was doomed to failure, as the local youth armed with air rifles deemed the gnomes as good target practice.
Evidence of dismembered gnomes was uncovered during restoration.
The Restoration
In 1998 Mr. & Mrs.Jauneikawe bought Heather Cottage, which came complete with Rock Garden. Little did they realise what they were taking on. Self seeded Ash and Sycamore trees covered much of the rock threatening to undermine its structure. Brambles and nettles ran amok, particularly in the vegetable garden. The rockery looked more like a rain forest. Railings were in need of repair, 10cm of stone wall had vanished, the stream and pool defunct.
Following extensive research, they soon began to appreciate the Rock Garden not only as a unique piece of Aysgarth’s history but as being of national horticultural significance too. We resolved to return it to its former glory for the benefit of not only ourselves but others too.
As with all these things though, it soon became apparent that the main stumbling block was money. The following 3 and a half years were spent searching for funding. Just as hope of ever finding money was fading The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund stepped in with an 80% grant.
Once the grant was obtained the National Park Authority donated their consultancy time, the Royal Horticultural Society and Nat West Bank Made contributions as did some local villagers. Mr. & Mrs.Jauneikawe personally funded the remainder and undertook to maintain the Rock Garden for 10 years.
The restoration began in October 2002 and after extensive replanting completed in April 2003. The garden was officially opened in July 2003 by Eric Robson and both the restoration and opening were filmed by Tyne Tees TV.
The two-part documentary ”The Secret Garden” was first screened in September 2003.
Visitor Information
- The Rock Garden is open during daylight hours free of charge.
- Please stay on the paths
- Please do not climb on the rocks or remove plants
- Children and dogs are welcome but must be supervised
- Dogs must be kept on a lead.
A note on parking.
The rock garden in situated on a bend. Please do not park in front of it or the adjacent cottages.There is ample parking in the village.
- Unfortunately, due to the nature of the site the Rock Garden is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- We are sorry for so many rules but your safety is of paramount importance to us.
- Finally we hope you will respect the garden but moreover enjoy our “not so private, private rock garden”
