The Woodland Garden

Set on the site of ancient woodland, Ray Wood is a rare combination of the planter's art and botanical science equally rewarding to the casual visitor as well as the botanist. This sylvan garden of tall trees and dappled sunlit glades holds one of the most extensive plant collections in private hands in Europe.

Ray Wood has undergone several transformations during the past three centuries. In the 18th century it was renowned for its natural style, the 3rd Earl favouring a design of irregular and mazy footpaths; in fact so convoluted were the pathways that on one occasion members of the Howard family became lost in Ray Wood. By 1720 the wood was filled with statues, cascades, fountains and pavilions, but all of these features disappeared by the middle of the 18th century. All that remains today is the Reservoir at the top of the hill, which was rebuilt in 1850 to supply both of Nesfield's Fountains.

In the 1940s Ray Wood was clear felled, but twenty years later re-planting began under the aegis of award-winning plantsman James Russell. George Howard decided to reinstate a series of winding pathways as a framework for new ornamental plantings in a woodland setting. Almost 800 species and varieties of rhododendron provide glorious colour during May and June. There are glades of pieris, wild roses, rare magnolias, hydrangeas, viburnums, maples and rowans, creating year round interest with a diversity of flower, autumn colour and fruit.

There is much to see throughout the year as Ray Wood changes with the seasons. Towards the end of February the rhododendrons and some of the cherries begin to flower. While the wild rhododendrons are at their best in April and May and many of the Hybrids flower throughout June.

Many Magnolias, Cornus and Snowdrop Trees' flower in June and July, and there is a large collection of wild hydrangeas, which flower, in the late summer, many of them introduced from Japan and China.

During September and October Ray Wood offers a huge array of ripened fruit and berries, with superb autumn colour from many shrubs and trees appearing well into November.

Ray Wood is managed by Castle Howard Arboretum Trust - for more information please visit www.kewatch.co.uk