Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

THE RETREAT: VISIT AND WALK AROUND THE GROUNDS 

In conjunction with PJ Livesey, the developers of the Retreat and Yorkshire Garden Trust a tour of the Retreat has been organised on Sunday 2 November at 10 am. As you will be aware the Retreat has been closed to the public for some time, and this is an early opportunity to explore the grounds with its extensive orchard and Quaker burial ground in the company of a member of the Yorkshire Garden Trust (YGT).

Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. £5  per person to include donation to YGT and YPS admin charge.

Booking Form:

Visit and Walk to the Retreat

Member’s report:

Following on from the successful lecture on the Retreat, members of the YPS were led on a walk around the grounds by Chris Webb of the Yorkshire Gardens Trust, Laura Potts, Retreat Orchardist and Lucy South, Heritage Events and Engagement Manager. Situated on Lamel Hill, the highest viewpoint in York, the area has been designated 2* in the Register of Parks and Gardens (RPG). Initially comprising 11 acres (now 40), the idea was to integrate the inside of the institution with the outside and as the needs of the patients changed over time, so did the grounds. One of the ideas behind the layout was to allow patients and staff to wander meditatively through the grounds, providing a safe place for residents and at one time a labyrinth designed by Bronwyn Gray occupied an area to the rear overlooking the Stray. Exercise was included in the thinking and various sports specifically bowling, croquet, cricket and hockey were played. There was even a small golf course.

An innovation within the mental health field was the opportunity for patients to connect with nature by working the land, growing vegetables, haymaking and caring for cattle on the site. While none of these activities are present today, the grounds represent an extremely important site for biodiversity within the city.

Walking down towards the lower boundary we stopped by the rockery, somewhat derelict but initially, it is thought, a joint effort between the Backhouse family-providing the materials-and the patients-providing the labour. This will not be returned to its original conception, but instead will become an area of peace and tranquillity. Further on lies the Quaker burial ground, with uniform headstones, originally for patients and staff but now available to Quakers from throughout the city and with perpetual access to those wishing to visit.

Passing through the rose garden, now sadly stripped of roses after an unfortunate accident with herbicides, we arrived at the wonderful orchard, yielding two thousand kilos of fruit from just forty trees this year and where we were able to sample different varieties for ourselves. The excess will be sent to Abundance and distributed to food banks, hospitals etc. Finally, we arrived at the artificial mound on Lamel Hill used as a battery in 1644 during the Civil War Siege of York passing two magnificent trees, a Gingko Biloba and a Red Oak both showing their autumn colours to perfection.

With many thanks to Chris, Laura and Lucy for a stimulating walk.

Dorothy Nott