Massive manor gardens kept beautiful by just three Doncaster gardeners throughout the lockdown

Many people have spent the last three months inside their homes but gardeners at one of Doncasters biggest tourist attractions have been hard at work keeping the luscious gardens perfect for when visitors could return.
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Brodsworth Hall and gardens have recently reopened to the public with a new one-way system in place but visitors may not know how much work has been put in by the head gardener and his team to keep the vast grounds in good shape.

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Daniel Hale, Head Gardner was accompanied by Georgina Yates the Garden supervisor and Mick Grandy a gardener, together they planted over 38,000 plants and flowers in just three weeks.

Staff socially distant in the grounds.Staff socially distant in the grounds.
Staff socially distant in the grounds.

Daniel who has worked at the hall for nearly five years, said: “We planted the Victoria Garden in two weeks which is a record.

“It was 24,000 plants and would normally have taken the team at least four weeks.

“The Tiger Garden was 14,000 plants and we have been constantly weeding, mowing and keeping the grounds in shape so that when we could reopen we would be ready.”

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Unlike many people, Daniel and his team spent their lockdown surrounded by nature and fresh air.

Flower beds in the garden.Flower beds in the garden.
Flower beds in the garden.

“Getting my hands dirty and working in the garden has made my last few months feel relatively normal.

“We know that so many people were stuck inside so we used social media to show them the garden and all the hard work we have been putting in to keep it lovely.”

Daniel uses his Instagram to show progress on the garden on a daily basis.

Path lined with a flower arch.Path lined with a flower arch.
Path lined with a flower arch.
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He posts panoramic shots of the grounds and the staff members planting and gardening.

“Don’t get me wrong we have worked really hard and I’m ready for a few days holiday now,” he said.

“But seeing visitors return and comment on how they can’t believe the gardens have been kept so well by just three of us makes me really proud.”

One area that Daniel and his team are particularly proud of is the new rose garden which was installed last winter.

Garden in full bloom.Garden in full bloom.
Garden in full bloom.
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It has needed constant attention to keep its perfection but Daniel says that it's looking brilliant.

There is now a pre-booking system in place to visit the gardens which allow visitors to enjoy the gardens with social distancing in place.

A one-way route is mapped out and there are hand sanitizer stations positioned along the way round.

Daniel said: “Visitors have told us that the new system makes them feel safe and comfortable which is all we want really.

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“That first day back when we saw the clouds lift from people when they walked through the garden was great.

“There is something about nature’s effect on your wellbeing that makes people feel better.”

Daniel Hale, head gardener.Daniel Hale, head gardener.
Daniel Hale, head gardener.

The head gardener says that he felt privileged to be able to continue to work in the garden during the lockdown and that he wishes to thank those that worked with him.

Daniel said: “I want to say a massive thank you to my team who put in the extra hours and work to keep the garden up to standard.

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If you want to visit the gardens the pre-booking system is on their website here.

Daniel’s Instagram can be found here.

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