The Laurence Sterne Trust | The Garden at Shandy Hall

Shandy Hall Garden

Shandy Hall was so called after Laurence Sterne wrote The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman here in the 18th century. It is not a grand house, as might be expected from its name, but a medieval long hall of about 1430.

The garden around the house is long established. Laurence Sterne was himself an enthusiastic gardener, and even grew nectarines. The present garden was created by Julia Monkman, she came here with her husband Kenneth who established the Laurence Sterne Trust in 1967. The garden is now managed entirely by volunteers.

There are four main parts to the garden. The front garden has changed little in its basic form from the very earliest illustrations of the house. Box-edged beds enclose roses and white violas following spring tulips.

Two variegated holly trees flank the front door, and New Dawn roses grow over the front walls.

Behind Wolfson Cottage and the gallery is a square garden with a central sundial, roses and cottage-garden perennials.

Through a small apple orchard is a walled garden, and by the lightning-struck sweet chestnut tree is an archway leading to a further acre of woodland in a former stone quarry. This part of the garden is managed for wildlife, and meandering mown paths lead past meadow areas as well as some larger specimen plants, and many bulbs and hellebores in the spring. It is a good place for a picnic, or for quietly sitting and listening to the birdsong.

Shandy Hall gardens are open to the public every day (except Saturdays) from May to September 11am- 4.30pm, or by appointment. The gardens can be booked for special events, or for private groups.

We have chosen to open in the evenings for the National Gardens Scheme this year. Evening is a particularly lovely time in the garden and we invite you to come and share the beautiful view of Byland Abbey clearly visible as the sun sets. Moth trapping, identification and release will be led by Dr David Chesmore on NGS nights. You are welcome to come and learn more about these beautiful and rarely seen creatures, when moths caught the previous night are identified and released and the trap set for the following night.  Over 150 different species have been recorded in the gardens.  A list of recorded species can be found on our Shandy Hall Moth Blog .