A new garden has opened at Bolton Castle, created in loving remembrance of the life of Harry, The 8th Lord Bolton, who died of cancer in 2023.
Named the Cancer Garden, it has opened to visitors today (Wednesday) at the preserved Medieval castle near Leyburn in North Yorkshire.
It was the idea of gardener Elizabeth Carter who has looked after the planting in the castle’s Herb Garden for several years, and is an homage to historical plants that were known to be used to offer some relief for a range of diseases in a time of predominantly herbal medicines.
The new physic bed is aimed at raising awareness of the historic treatments of cancer, and has taken Elizabeth over 20 months of meticulous research and planning.
She was also keen to complement the other planting in the herb garden, all of which has been strictly based on the period of time from when the castle was built in the 14th century up to the end of the 16th century.
Tom, Lord Bolton said, “Dad re-instated the gardens at Bolton Castle and always loved talking to Elizabeth about them and I was very touched when she suggested a cancer garden in remembrance of him.
“With her encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine, Elizabeth has done an amazing job of ensuring the plants tell the story of the origins of many remedies, which tie in with the history of the castle.
“Tragically, too many people are affected by this awful disease and we would like to use the opportunity to highlight the work of Herriot Hospice, who gave both Dad and Elizabeth’s father wonderful care in their last weeks of life.
“Head Gardener, Jason Hanslip, who played a part in creating the garden and I am proud to have been able to work on this with Elizabeth and the team and open the garden today to our visitors.”
The garden is located in the south eastern walled garden, sheltered beneath the castle’s stone walls. The garden will develop over time as the plants mature and add colour and interest and include plants such as Madonna Lily and Hyacinth – both connected with remembrance as well as cancer.
Elizabeth Carter added: “This is my 12th year working in the gardens at Bolton Castle and it has taken me on a fascinating exploration of medieval plants about which I previously knew nothing.
“Had Lord Bolton not reinstated the gardens, I would never have had such an adventure, and I wanted to say thank you and honour him in some way. As Lord Bolton’s death was attributed to cancer, I thought a memorial cancer bed might be appropriate.
“The information I have prepared includes the history of cancer from its first mention in an Egyptian papyrus from 3500 BC to the physicians’ approach to and treatment of cancer over the years to the present day.”
The Cancer Garden at Bolton Castle has opened today, Wednesday 24 June, and access for visitors is included with entry.
For more information on the Cancer Garden visit the website here.
