Garden Outings

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🌿 Garden Group Outings – Spring/Summer 2026 🌿

We’re delighted to announce the first two outings for 2026:

Wednesday 6th May
Helmsley Walled Garden & Ampleforth Abbey

Wednesday 3rd June
Walton Manor, Morpeth

Full details are below – we hope you’ll be able to join us!

🌸 Outing to Helmsley – Wednesday 6th May

Spring has arrived and it’s time to get out and about again!

Our first outing of the year takes us to the beautiful Helmsley Walled Garden, set within the North York Moors National Park. Dating back to 1759, this historic garden features vibrant borders, glasshouses and apple orchards, all set beneath the impressive ruins of Helmsley Castle. It has been welcoming visitors for over 30 years.

You can enjoy lunch, coffee and homemade cakes at The Vine House Café in the garden, or wait until we visit Helmsley town, where there are several cafés and a variety of interesting shops to explore.

In the afternoon, we will travel on to Ampleforth Abbey, home to a community of Benedictine monks. Here you can enjoy peaceful walks around the grounds, lakes and woodland, visit the Abbey (subject to services), browse the shop, or relax in the tea room.

Cost: £40
(£25 transport, £15 admission – this may reduce depending on numbers)

Travel details:
Two minibuses (32 seats) will depart from behind Costa Coffee, Seaham Harbour at 10.00 am

Booking:
Names will be taken at the Monthly Meeting on Wednesday 25th March.
As the outing is not far away, we would appreciate full payment at the time of booking so we can secure the transport.

🌼 Visit to Walton Manor, Morpeth – Wednesday 3rd June

Walton Manor is a private and historically significant garden, open to the public for just seven weeks each summer. Set around a 17th-century house, the three-acre garden is full of inspirational planting and striking architectural features, including an Italian summerhouse, pergolas, a game larder and a large stone-paved patio.

As visits are in the afternoon, we will first stop in Morpeth and/or Stranton Garden Centre for coffee or lunch before heading to Walton Manor at around 2.00 pm.

Cost: £32
(£23 transport, £9 admission – this may reduce depending on numbers)

Travel details:
Two minibuses (32 seats) will depart from behind Costa Coffee, Seaham Harbour at 10.00 am

Booking:
Names will be taken at the Monthly Meetings on:

  • Wednesday 25th March (deposit required)
  • Wednesday 29th April (final payment)

A £5 deposit is required on 25th March, with full payment due by 29th April.

Sheila O’Connor & Linda Solaimin
Group Organisers