Garden design school to open this summer

A Yorkshire-based garden designer is launching a new school specifically to train designers for northern landscapes.

Alistair Baldwin established Richmond-based landscape and architectural design consultancy, AWB Associates, over 15 years ago.

His Yorkshire School of Garden Design opens its doors in August with a range of short courses throughout the year – designed for garden design enthusiasts and those wanting to learn more about all aspects of the art, from landscaping to planting.

Alistair Baldwin

Its professional Diploma in Garden Design delivered over an academic year, begins in September.

The school will be based at Harewood House, near Leeds, which has over 100 acres of parkland designed by eminent 18th century landscape architect Sir Lancelot Capability Brown.

Baldwin said: “The Yorkshire School of Garden Design was born out of my passion for this great art, combined with a deep-seated belief that the north of England is crying out for such a school.

“For too long the budding designers of the north have had little local choice when looking for a learning experience to broaden their skills and launch them into the profession.

“More often than not, students have had to make the journey to London to find the right course and I thought that needed to change.

“I have lived and worked in North Yorkshire for over three decades and have developed an acute understanding of how the terrain, geology, even climate and the way of working is very different in this part of the UK.

“The process within which gardens are designed and built in this magnificent landscape is very different to the south of England – so I want to share everything I have learned over the last 35 years and inspire a new generation.”

Baldwin will be joined by a team of design consultants who will work with him to deliver the professional diploma course and a range of short courses to those interested in either building a professional career in garden design, or enthusiasts who want to learn a little more about the art.

Trevor Nicholson, head gardener at Harewood House, said: “Harewood House is a fitting and inspirational venue for a school which hopes to train the design professionals of the future.

“We have a history of nurturing classical landscapers and garden designers with our parklands and gardens, and I’m incredibly excited to welcome guests and inspire them with our beautiful landscapes.”

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