Oriental Reflections, Peasholm Park - Scarborough

(2 x PiPs)


Peasholm Park is on the site of a medieval manor house of Northstead which was part of the Crown Estate from the 14th century. By the beginning of the 20th century the area was open land used for farming and as allotments. In 1911 Scarborough Corporation bought some land called Tuckers Field from the Duchy of Lancaster to create a public park. It was the borough engineer, Harry W Smith, who had the idea of setting out the gardens in Japanese style. Japanese style statues in the park were purchased from Killerby Hall and exotic shrubs and flowers were imported from the home of a local retired banker who was living in the French Riviera. In 1924 the park was extended south-westwards along Peasholm Glen following the purchase of more land from the Duchy of Lancaster 1921.



The Peasholm Glen Tree Trail has rare and unusual trees. A lottery-funded project there aims to conserve the trees and provides a leafleted trail identifying the most interesting and important species. The leaflet is free and is also available to download from the internet. Together with signage on site, it opens up this resource to the widest possible audience. During restoration of the site the Dicksonian Elm, a tree that was previously believed to be extinct, was discovered alive and well in Peasholm Glen.



Japanese themed gardens and lake with a pagoda said to be based on the Willow Pattern pottery design, are a central feature of the park. The lake has a central island which is accessible by a Japanese-style bridge. There are waterfalls and wildlife in the more tranquil wooded areas.