Tucked away in the historic heart of the village of Adel, north of Leeds, York Gate Gardens is a miniature masterpiece of the art of garden design. By employing a Volunteer Coordinator to help recruit and supervise volunteers to research the history of the garden, its creators the Spencer family and the Arts and Crafts movement, the project has developed new displays and tours for visitors.

Volunteers have pulled together scattered written material and personal memories of those who knew the family which would otherwise have been lost. This insight into the garden is attracting new people from the local community and beyond, helping people to discover this hidden treasure and inspiring them to take ideas back to their own gardens.

Richard Capewell, Chief Executive of horticulture charity Perennial which owns and runs York Gate, said: “We want to capture the history and heritage of York Gate for the community of Adel and Yorkshire so that garden lovers all over the country can enjoy, learn from it and be inspired by it over the years ahead.”