Grounds for a gorgeous garden ...
The buildings at Rains Farm are not the only plus points. Set in the rich pastures of the Vale of Pickering, the farm is on fertile soil, and its grounds include the original orchard, paddocks and vegetable garden. These have now been developed by Jean, Lorraine and Lorraine’s partner Andrew (who runs a horticultural landscaping business).
The view was once very different from the house and what is now the cottages. Muddy tracks surrounded the lawns and vegetable gardens, all of which blended into the agricultural landscape around them. Over the years the change could not be more startling.
Seamlessly landscaped ...
The area around the house has been landscaped to create a colourful garden area which blends almost seamlessly into the carefully maintained orchard. Grassy banks now flank the development - carpeted with daffodils in the Spring - and vegetable gardens have now become a landscaped waterfall garden close to the entrance to the Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
An original and ornamental orchard ...
The Vale of Pickering itself was the site of a post-glacial lake, and its highly significant rivers are populated by brown trout and coarse fish, with a species of Lamprey occurring in some of the smaller streams to the north.
Attractive damselflies can be spotted on many of the banks and - after declining for a many years, shy otters have now become widespread in the area. Rare fen meadowland can be found at the at the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) at Wintringham and Amotherby.
The changing courtyard ...
The courtyard by the cottages is highlighted by the changing colours of Virginia creeper and other climbing vegetation, whilst at its centre is a raised bed focusing on a fountain, surrounded by colourful planting. Yet more colour comes to the courtyard and garden areas in the summer with a variety of hanging baskets.
More of the natural world ...
The farm’s policy of encouraging wildlife has no doubt seeded ideas for a new wildlife garden, which is currently in the planning stage, and which will no doubt eventually bring even more of the natural world onto the doorsteps of visitors to Rains Farm Holidays. See our wildlife feature for more.
Use the menu system to explore our cottages and B & B accommodation, as well as other articles about the history of the farm and its transformation.