Introduction
Ackworth School, founded in 1779, retains lawns and a Great Garden. Features include exercise grounds laid out between the east and west wings of the school, several mature trees and a swimming pool. The grounds now cover some 81 hectares, though the site was originally much larger.
Terrain
The site slopes southwards to the River Went.- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
As this is a school, access may be restricted or by appointment only. Please contact Ackworth School before visiting.
Directions
http://www.ackworthschool.com/pages/map.php
Owners
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Other Websites
- History
The buildings were originally created as an orphanage or 'foundling hospital', with productive kitchen gardens and an orchard. In 1779, the site became a Quaker school. It was founded by John Fothergill, who, amongst many other things, was a noted horticulturalist and patron of botanical collectors.
The kitchen gardens remained in use into the early-20th century, and notebooks of the produce sold to the school have survived. A planting plan of 1790 details the varieties of apple, pear, plum and cherry planted in the orchard. A list of kitchen garden produce from 1891 is given in the 'historical planting' section of this entry.
Period
- 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
- Late 18th Century (1775 to 1799)
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Features
- School (featured building)
- Description: The buildings were created as a foundling hospital by Thomas Coram in around 1757. The site was bought by John Fothergill, who founded Ackworth School there in 1779.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- River
- Description: River Went
- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Education
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
Survival
Extant
Hectares
81
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Ackworth
- References
References
- Edmondson, John {The Ackworth School Garden and Orchard} (Garden History vol. 37 part 2, Winter 2009) pp. 226-230 The Ackworth School Garden and Orchard
Contributors
John Edmondson