Brodsworth Hall & Gardens

Our View

When in the 1860s Charles Thellusson built a mansion on his 8,000-acre South Yorkshire estate, northwest of Doncaster, the gardens were laid out in a ‘high Victorian’ formal Italianate style to complement the architecture of the house. In recent years they’ve been restored to their full glory, and there’s masses to see here. Clipped box, yew and holly were established to form domed, pyramidal and cubic shapes, hedges and edges, and a marble fountain and a wealth of Italian statues were installed. Flights of steps leading from the terrace down to the extensive lawn were designed with extreme formality, with shallow urns at the head and marble greyhounds at the foot – though it was for horseracing and yachting that the wealthy Thellusson family was best known. Symmetrical flower beds, in keeping with the overall geometry of the design, are cut out of the turf – look out for the three-tier Italian marble dolphin fountain, like an elaborate cake-stand. In February and March, you can enjoy the breathtaking sight of some 500,000 snowdrops and over 30 varieties of daffodil, many of them growing naturally in long grass. In April the floral tapestry changes as up to 5,000 tulips take over, and in summer the rose garden and wild flower meadows attract the most attention. The woodland walks become more and more vibrant as autumn progresses, and then in winter the original garden design, with its sculptural topiary, becomes all-important. In contrast to all this primping in the gardens, Brodsworth Hall has been left as it was when the last owner died in 1988 – a state of genteel neglect, complete with family clutter. It plays host to many special events throughout the year, and during the summer months on a Sunday often has live music playing in the gardens.