History of York Gate
The Garden was created by the Spencer family between 1951 and 1994. Frederick Spencer laid down the basic structure of the garden but it was his son, Robin, who was largely responsible for its development and for the exquisite detail to be found within it. Undoubtedly inspired by some of the outstanding gardens of the time such as Lawrence Johnston's Hidcote, Robin created in just one acre, a garden which by the early eighties, was regarded by many as one of the best small gardens in the world.
Like Hidcote, and many others that followed suit, York Gate is made up of a number of distinct garden 'rooms'. What makes this garden exceptional is the exquisite detail to be found within each: the pavement maze in the driveway, the espaliered cedar in the pinetum, the meticulous arrangement of stone setts and gravel along the path in the canal garden.
Another distinguishing feature is the skill with which these rooms are united into a coherent whole. Robin achieved this using a continuous succession of vistas, each culminating in a focal point - perfectly placed and immaculately proportioned, be it a potting shed window, an eight foot high sundial or an old water pump.
Robin died suddenly and prematurely in 1982 at the age of only forty-seven. For the next twelve years his mother, Sybil, nurtured the garden. A gifted plantswoman, she continued to play a significant role
in enhancing the diverse plant collection which
remains today.
On Sybil Spencer's death in 1994, York Gate garden passed into the care of Perennial. A programme to develop areas in need of restoration is ongoing but the charity will continue to maintain the garden in sympathy with the Spencers' design and in accordance with Sybil Spencer's wish that it will continue to attract visitors for both education and pleasure.