Skip to main content

Reeth Community Orchard

Reeth Community Orchard Garden sits in the quiet centre of the village of Reeth in Swaledale.

The Orchard is set in a beautiful walled garden and is often described as a peaceful green oasis in the middle of the village.It is open all year round to those who enjoy borders full of colourful perennials, a shady bench under an old apple tree or beside seasonally planted tubs, an area where young children can play using their imagination, and a small flower meadow recreating those seen and preserved higher up the dale. There is an interesting exhibition area in the beautifully restored Old Privy, telling the history of the site and its development.

Reeth Community Orchard

Volunteering

If you would like to join in and help with the general maintenance, - weeding, pruning, composting etc on Saturday mornings, 10.30 - 1.00, you will be made very welcome.

Ring 01748 884186 to check first.

Contact Us
About Us

About Us

In 2002 the Community Orchard Group launched their ambitious project to restore the old walled garden behind Hudson House, formerly Barclays Bank in Reeth. This property was saved for the community when Barclays plc agreed to sell the site to Hudson House Ltd, a local community company, for use as a much-needed Rural Resource Centre that would give easier access to a variety of essential services.

The garden was then derelict and overgrown. It took many months of sensitive volunteer labour to bring it back into use as a productive orchard. When completed it was planned also to provide a secluded location to be used by the people of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale for leisure activities, education, training, special events and exhibitions, and the official Opening finally took place on April 30th, 2004. We're planning to celebrate 20 years of the garden restoration in the coming months. We'll keep you posted!

Layout of the Garden

  1. Entrance gate
  2. Re:Cycling sculpture - Michael Kusz
  3. Children’s Corner
  4. Butterfly grid - Gunnerside blacksmith
  5. Tree seat - Peter Cummings, beside wild flower area.
  6. Ben’s seat
  7. Benches - Peter Cummings
  8. Butterfly sculpture - Mike Kusz
  9. Herb garden - Chris Baker
  10. Restored Privy and Exhibition Area
Layout of the Garden
Plant Sales

Plant Sales


Throughout the year we have seeds or plants for sale.

Please look at our table near the gate for seasonally available plants, herbs and fruit on sale from as little as £1.

Sculptures

Sculptures


We have several sculptures around the garden and sometimes others are available in The Orchard Gallery managed by Hudson House.  

Look in The Conservatory when you visit for weekly exhibitions by local artists and sculptors.

The Orchard Gallery

The Orchard Gallery


The Orchard Gallery was successfully launched in 2012 with an exhibition by local artists.

The conservatory is proving a popular place from which to enjoy the exhibits and view the garden. For all information about The Orchard Gallery please ring 01748 884485.

An inside look