Stillingfleet Lodge Garden and nursery is an organically managed, wildlife friendly, family garden close to York. Described as a quintessentially English garden, it is first and foremost a family garden, lovingly planted-up over 40 years by owners Vanessa and John Cook. It is a fine example of how a relatively small space can encourage wildlife whilst retaining all the beauty of a cottage garden.
The four acre site comprises a series of themed areas surrounding the traditional farmhouse plus a pond, meadow, vegetable garden and a very well-stocked plant nursery. To help you with your plant selection you may wish to browse our plant catalogue before visiting. You will see first-hand the many ways that the garden is managed organically, giving you inspiration to take home and turn your garden into a wildlife haven too.
The four acre site comprises a series of themed areas surrounding the traditional farmhouse plus a pond, meadow, vegetable garden and a very well-stocked plant nursery. To help you with your plant selection you may wish to browse our plant catalogue before visiting. You will see first-hand the many ways that the garden is managed organically, giving you inspiration to take home and turn your garden into a wildlife haven too.
Services
Welcome to Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens, you will find all the visitor information you need for an enjoyable visit to the garden below or in the video. There is no need to book in advance. We open at 1:00pm. If you arrive early, you are welcome to have a picnic or stretch legs in the car park, but we will be unable to admit you to the garden or nursery until the opening time.
The Stillingfleet Lodge Garden Tea Room is currently only open for take-away refreshments. The delicious homemade cakes and refreshing teas or coffees will once again be available. The Tea Room is in our lovely renovated barn and is a great place to sit with your refreshments, admire the art exhibitions, flick through magazines and gardening books and shelter if it is raining!
John and I bought Stillingfleet Lodge in 1975; it was an unloved farmhouse that had been empty for over a year. There was very little garden, mainly a vegetable plot with no shrubs or trees. The remaining three acres was grassland. Our aim then was to live "the Good Life, " by going organic and self-sufficient.
Rill Gardens were traditionally used in the earliest garden designs. Pasargadae in Iran has one of the earliest from C6 BC and the Alhambra in Granada has some of the best known. Usually a linear design inset into paving and lined with stone or tiles, they often form a geometric design and have fountains and flowing water.
Our meadow is a typical lowland hay meadow, or ancient grassland. It is not a meadow of annual plants, such as poppies and cornflowers, neither of which live in grass meadows. It has a neutral pH and is classified as MG5 according to the National Vegetation Classification.
This was once the ubiquitous type of old meadow in the English lowlands, but due to drainage, ploughing, re-seeding and fertiliser use there is now less than 6,000 hectares remaining in England.Also known as Cynorurus cristatus - Centaurea nigra grassland, it is typically species rich, with mostly widespread, unsown native plants.
This was once the ubiquitous type of old meadow in the English lowlands, but due to drainage, ploughing, re-seeding and fertiliser use there is now less than 6,000 hectares remaining in England.Also known as Cynorurus cristatus - Centaurea nigra grassland, it is typically species rich, with mostly widespread, unsown native plants.
Reviews (19)
Anne Richardson
Oct 03, 2021
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In the past we have been huge fans of Stillingfleet. We have taken friends, supported exhibitors, loved making many purchases of plants, amongst other things over a number of years.
Today we was in the car park, around 10 mins before the gardens opened. I was showing my partner some sticks which were in a pile in the car park. I was explaining… that I was after something similar for a project at home. The owner walked down the drive, I was going to ask her what type of wood it was and could I make a donation for them, if they were no longer required.
I didn’t have time to explain before
Today we was in the car park, around 10 mins before the gardens opened. I was showing my partner some sticks which were in a pile in the car park. I was explaining… that I was after something similar for a project at home. The owner walked down the drive, I was going to ask her what type of wood it was and could I make a donation for them, if they were no longer required.
I didn’t have time to explain before
Tina Ashby
Sep 15, 2021
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Well I am not sure why someone who only paid £3 entry is grumbling (see previous reviews), you would pay a lot more than that for somewhere RHS/Engl Heritage and not see as wonderful a display.
We thought it was a delightful afternoon, yes the garden is where someone lives, but you can clearly see it is well loved, and they have achieved an amazing amount of creative planting, a wonderful wildlife haven and beautifully well stocked garden from what was basically arable land. I loved the organic nature of the place, the fact that is gently undulates through different 'rooms', all of which offered
We thought it was a delightful afternoon, yes the garden is where someone lives, but you can clearly see it is well loved, and they have achieved an amazing amount of creative planting, a wonderful wildlife haven and beautifully well stocked garden from what was basically arable land. I loved the organic nature of the place, the fact that is gently undulates through different 'rooms', all of which offered
Pride Sharp Photography
Sep 14, 2021
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David Bruce
Aug 30, 2021
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A carefully designed but also clearly much-loved garden.l Filled with interesting plants and equipped with an excellent nursery which allows you to buy a selection of them for your own garden, as well as knowledgeable people on hand to share advice. Looking forward to returning in different seasons in future.
Sarah Banks
Aug 19, 2021
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Was not impressed. On arrival was made to feel uncomfortable paying for entry via cash rather than card as cashier had said she would prefer card. Then would accept the exact money so had to go back to the car to get the exact amount. Garden its self was nice but no more than a 20 to 30 minute look around. We had the gardeners World 241 so was £3 each, but if we hadn't then £6 each is a bit much for what is there. It seems to be a glorified garden centre that has thought of an extra way to make money, by charging to look at the houses big back garden.
Tabi Paternoster
Aug 18, 2021
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Hannah Quinn
Aug 01, 2021
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Margaret Wilkinson
Jul 18, 2021
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Kit Fan
Jun 25, 2021
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Mandy Madsen
May 16, 2021
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Definitely worth a ride out. Such a beautiful tranquil place. One lady's passion for plants has been put together in such a homely way you are basically walking around her garden. She has designed the perfect place to sit and relax and take in the gardens beauty whilst listening to the hundreds of wild birds in full chorus. Do make time to pop in… to her little tearoom and sample her delicious homemade fruit cake or lemon cake before calling in to her plant shop where she can tell you what plant is what, how it grows and is only too happy to talk about plants. The lady is a walking plant
Anthony Nichols Jp
May 01, 2021
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Gilli Gribbin
Apr 17, 2021
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A magical place. Truly beautiful gardens appear to have chosen, naturally, to grow where they do. A truly good gardener is invisible in its creation; clever in their understanding of right plant right place!
… This is a really lovely garden; as you walk around you feel like you are sharing it with others who are there only because they are in on the secret!
… This is a really lovely garden; as you walk around you feel like you are sharing it with others who are there only because they are in on the secret!
Sarah Henderson
Apr 07, 2021
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Kt M.
Jan 05, 2021
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Graham Bate
Sep 29, 2020
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Janet Shires
Sep 02, 2020
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Julia Riley
Aug 16, 2020
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Gordon Hulme
Oct 18, 2019
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A great wildlife/natural garden in the lovely village of Stillingfleet. £5 entry and spend a lovely afternoon in this fabulous setting, reading a book, watching the wildlife, or having coffee and cake at the on site tea rooms. A place to buy some really unusual plants and flowers as well. Don't expect Kew Gardens and unsightly labels everywhere but you should expect a welcoming reception and someone to personally ask any questions. Loads of parking on site. Definitely worth a visit whether just for an hour or a whole afternoon.
Wendy Rowe
Jul 25, 2017
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