York Parks

Picture:flickr.com Neil Turner

Clarence gardens: These small, traditional public gardens, enclosed by mature trees, offer a breathing space in a busy urban setting. They are situated adjacent to York District Hospital.

Dean's Park: Dean's Park is to the north side of York Minster. It is one of York's best loved places, with magnificent views of the Minster and is home to the Cathedral Library. 

The Library is open to the public Monday to Friday between 9.00am to 5.00pm.Dean's Park (managed by the Dean and Chapter of York Minster) is to the north side of York Minster

Glen Gardens: A traditional neighbourhood park on Heworth's main street

Homestead Park: Avenues and groups of ornamental trees give spring and autumn colour. This well-maintained park is a popular place for picnics.

The park was given to the people of York by Joseph Rowntree's son, Seebolm.

For more information contact Joseph Rowntree Foundation 01904 629241This park was given to the people of York by Joseph Rowntree's son, Seebolm

Hull Road Park: A varied, traditional 25-acre park, alongside Osbaldwick Back in Tang Hall, about one mile from the city centre. A good place for ball games and picnics.

Rowntree Park: A short walk from the city centre, on the banks of the River Ouse, this inspiring 30-acre  park has undergone a £1.8million refurbishment, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, restoring it to its original splendour.

The park was a gift to the City of York by Messrs Rowntree & Co. in 1921 and is a memorial to the Cocoa Works staff who fell and suffered during World War 1. A set of listed gates off Terry Avenue were added to the park in memory of those who fell in the World War II. Bronze plaques mark both occasions within the centrally located Lych Gate.A short walk from the city centre, this 30-acre park has recently been restored to its original splendour.

Treasurers House Garden: The Treasurer's House is a National Trust property in central York.  It has two very different gardens, tucked away in a secluded, peaceful area behind York Minster.  The Treasurer's House front garden has plenty of benches from which to admire the simple, architectural design laid out in 1900 by the owner, Frank Green.  The terrace walls contain architectural fragments from the many re-buildings of the Minster and visitors to the garden can enjoy full views of the striking Minster Chapterhouse.

The Organic Herb Garden, to the rear of the 17th century house will delight with its sights and smells. 

West Bank Park: This beautiful urban 20-acre park is an unexpected find in the middle of Holgate, occupying the former site of the 19th century Backhouse Nurseries. It boasts a mature woodland and former arboretum at the top end of the park (off Acomb Road) with many specimen trees including dawn redwoods and a giant redwood. The woodland attracts many bird species, including the long tailed tit, goldcrest and greater spotted woodpecker.A beautiful urban 20-acre park situated in Holgate.

Yorkshire Museum Gardens: The ten-acre botanical Museum Gardens, around the Yorkshire Museum, stretch from the River Ouse up to the back of York Art Gallery, and from Marygate on one side to Museum Street on the other. The gardens are a popular picnic spot.

They were planted in the 1830s, when the Yorkshire Philosophical Society opened the museum.

The gardens are a listed Botanical Garden and contain many varieties of trees, deciduous and evergreen, native and exotic and were laid out to show off the buildings and plant specimens as they were introduced.

Look out for the Common Pear Tree, close to the river, which is thought to be the oldest of all the trees in the gardens. Or examine the trunk of the magnificent Oak Barked Beech planted in 1840s /1850s and see where the bark changes from smooth grey to rough pear bark tree.