Join Harewood’s Senior Gardener for a tour around the Walled Garden at twilight.

Take in blooming flowers and flourishing produce as India Sida-Murray leads you through the history of the Walled Garden, from the 18th century to the present day. From ‘Dig to Victory’ to Harewood’s current ‘no-dig’ methods, you’ll discover the hidden secrets of the Walled Garden.

Finish your tour with Prosecco in the Victorian Terrace Gardens, over-looking the Capability Brown landscapes as the sun sets behind you.

Available Dates

• 6th July 2023
• 13th July 2023

Please note: there is a 15 minute walk to and from the Walled Garden that incorporates a steep gradient. Due to the nature of the site, access to the Walled Garden is limited. Should you wish to discuss any specific access requirements, please contact info@harewood.org.

What's Included in the Price?

• Exclusive access to Harewood’s historic walled garden after closing
• A chance to chat with Harewood’s talented Senior Gardener
• A glass of prosecco on the Terrace

About Harewood's Senior Gardener, India Sida-Murray

I came to Harewood in July of 2021 looking for an exciting and dynamic historic garden to contribute to. Having started my horticultural career some twenty years ago following a degree in the arts, I worked as a private gardener in London where I was born and brought up. I was then lucky enough to join the Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP) as the sole representative for the south east and only 15 nationally. It provided a unique curriculum by leading industry experts, at the Isle of Wight’s principal tourist attraction, Osborne House. I continued to work on the south coast for seven years  which opened my eyes to all the wonderful possibilities of growing plants in the warm gulf streams of our southern shores.

Keen to keep developing my knowledge I wanted to learn what plants would flourish in the north of the UK and how adaptations and skills differ up here. Joining Harewood has been everything I had hoped for and I’m really lucky to be part of such a forward thinking and proactive team here. With such a varied visitor programme on offer there is so much scope for creativity and development within the gardens.  I work closely with Head Gardener Trevor Nicholson to manage the main ornamental gardens with a focus on conservation and sustainability. Our plant collection is one of the best in the country and it is my responsibility to plan the day to day operations and support the staff as we work through the seasons. Harewood’s gardens have such an interesting tapestry of development over the centuries which is acutely apparent in the Walled Garden where the stories of the past are echoed in the work we do now. With a 40+ strong team of garden volunteers we are able to produce food that goes to our on-site restaurants, keeping the history of the relationship between house and garden alive.

Our small but mighty team of gardeners truly see themselves as custodians of the gardens and I’m immensely proud of the craftsmanship and passion that goes into everything that we do here. We continue to focus on developing horticultural practices and enriching the botanical significance of the gardens whilst sharing our knowledge and stories with visitors. I love my job and I feel that the people that work here are just as important as the historic fabric of the house and gardens at Harewood.

Useful Information

Please be aware this event takes place outdoors. As the saying goes, ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes’ – please come dressed appropriately.

Access to Harewood’s Grounds & Gardens are included in this ticket. Please arrive promptly at the entrance to The Courtyard for your tour.