Hortus goes to Yorkshire: Northern lights - bright shining gardens of delight

4 days | £2995 per person | 1 - 4 September 2026

Northern lights - bright shining gardens of delight

This special garden tour is jointly hosted by Daniele Altieri, an Italian former biologist who has evolved into a passionate garden designer, resident in England for 30 years and Yorkshire man, Troy Scott Smith, Head Gardener of the prestigious Sissinghurst Castle as well as being a garden writer, speaker, lecturer and RHS Floral Committee member. These two garden enthusiasts have discovered that they jointly have a special complimentary way to present gardens to interested groups. They will be guided by Sophie Piebenga, well known to many Boxwood travellers. Yorkshire is renowned for extensive National Parks, rugged landscapes, wild moorlands, small market towns and unspoilt villages. Staying at The Pheasant Hotel in the very small village of Harome, we will be well-placed to explore some of the region’s other celebrated jewels, its host of beautiful gardens numbered by aficionados as among Britain’s best, where you will meet many delightfully divers owners and gardeners. The Pheasant Hotel not only provides a comfortable scenic retreat but also delights the palate, holding 2 AA-rosettes for its use of the finest local and seasonal ingredients.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

The tour starts at York Railway Station. Our first visit is to Middlethorpe Hall, a William III country house (now an exclusive hotel). Following coffee together and a warm welcome from the tour hosts, Daniele, Troy and Sophie, there will be a visit to the restored gardens. After a group lunch, we then journey together to Mount St John, a private country garden on the edge of the North York Moors with a stunning layout designed by Tom Stuart-Smith. Continue to the village of Harome to check-in and for a welcome meal together at The Pheasant Hotel.

Day 2

Start the day with a visit to Scampston Hall, where we are invited to lunch and a special tour of Sir Charles & Lady Legard’s exquisite walled garden. Recognised as one of Piet Oudolf’s design masterpieces, the garden includes a perennial meadow, Serpentine Garden, grass drifts and a silent garden. Our final visit of the day is to a private garden overlooking the North York Moors. This garden beautifully showcases a selection of classic English country garden perennials such as roses and delphiniums. Return to The Pheasant Hotel with evening meal included.

Day 3

A morning visit to Middleton Lodge owned by the Allisons family who have transformed the estate’s walled gardens, farmhouse and outbuildings into a fine hotel with two award-winning restaurants. After lunch, we explore the gardens of Raby Castle where the 18^th century walled garden has been remodelled by renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei and Lady Barnard putting Raby clearly on the map of notable English gardens. Our final visit takes us to Helmsley Walled Garden with its hot-coloured double herbaceous borders. We dine tonight at The Star at Harome with its 1 Michelin star.

Day 4

Parcevall Hall sits comfortably in the Yorkshire Dales and was the former home of Sir William Milner, a gentle giant (of 6 foot 7 inches tall) and a reluctant socialite, he dedicated his time to creating a unique garden with all year round attraction using a wide range of plants, more recently the garden has been restored to highlight its late season attraction. We meander our way back to York calling at York Gate, for a light lunch and a garden tour showcasing great style and fine craftsmanship, recognized as one of the late twentieth-century's best small gardens and Cliff Bank Nursery set up in 2022 by a young and very enthusiastic couple who specialise in Anemone’s. Return to York Railway Station.

The Pheasant Hotel

Tucked away in the heart of North Yorkshire in the quaint village of Harome, is The Pheasant Hotel, a quintessential country retreat overlooking a charming duck pond and garden. Each room offers a blend of rustic English elegance and modern comforts, with stylish furnishings creating a homely and welcoming environment for all. Guests staying at The Pheasant Hotel can enjoy using the indoor swimming pool, located in the sheltered courtyard, or savour dishes from their locally sourced à la carte menu in the conservatory.

Price: £2995

Single Supp: £290

Deposit: £350

Departure Dates:

1 - 4 September 2026

Duration:

3 nights / 4 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Three nights' bed and breakfast at The Pheasant Hotel
Private coach transfers and excursions
Three evening meals and four lunches
Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
Services of the Tour Host and Tour Leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Host & Leader

Daniele Altieri

Daniele Altieri is an Italian-born garden designer and former scientist. After leaving his scientific career in Italy, he retrained in horticulture and worked as a gardener at Sutton Place and in National Trust gardens including Sissinghurst, The Courts and Smallhythe Place, where he was Head Gardener. Trained by John Brookes, the doyen of British garden design, he has designed gardens in Italy, Japan, and England. He is an experienced tour leader and lectures frequently on garden design, including training Sissinghurst gardeners. Daniele uses his designer’s eye to reveal how gardens create emotional responses, showing how spaces can delight, surprise or draw visitors into a deeper appreciation of the garden.

Troy Scott Smith

Troy Scott Smith is a highly experienced horticulturalist who has worked with the National Trust since 1990. He has spent most of his career as Head Gardener at three National Trust gardens, including the renowned Sissinghurst Castle Garden! After two years at Iford Manor Gardens, Troy returned to his role in Sissinghurst to help preserve its fascinating legacy.

Sophie Piebenga

Born in The Netherlands and based in the Cotswolds, our expert Sophie Piebenga has lived most of her life in the UK. Trained with the National Trust and qualified at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, all whilst working as head gardener of a private estate, Sophie quickly developed a particular interest in the conservation of historic gardens. This eventually led to a doctoral study at the University of York, researching the work of the early Victorian landscape gardener, William Sawrey Gilpin. Sophie has since worked freelance, mostly in the field of historic landscape conservation, and, for the last 25 years, has regularly led Boxwood tours around the UK and to Ireland, France, Spain and The Netherlands.