York Historic Environment Record

NMR Information:

Register of Parks and Gardens Legacy No. GD1012

MUSEUM GARDENS, YORK II

Museum grounds and a designed setting for the Yorkshire Museum (SE 55 SE 50), the remains of St Mary's Abbey (SE 55 SE 1), the Multangular Tower and parts of city walls (SE 65 SW 1 & 5) and St Leonard's Hospital. Present layout originating in late 1820's, but basically circa 1844-46 by Sir John Nasmyth and extended later. Naturalistically modelled lawn slopes down to River Ouse from museum, planted with carefully sited belts and clumps of trees and shrubs. Curving circuit walk provides a series of changing views of museum and monuments. The Observatory 1832-3, The Lodge 1874-5, Main Gate and drinking fountain dated 1880 form part of the gardens. Carved medieval stones edge borders and there are scattered geological specimens. Public swimming pool of 1837 was demolished in 1969. The gardens were also designed as a botanical garden and private pleasure ground for members of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.(1)

1 Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England Part 32 North Yorkshire (May 1987) English Heritage