History of Hackfall

Hackfall has been a wooded site for hundreds of years and because of the steepness of the land, was never managed intensively or converted to other land uses.

18th – 19th century

The land was bought by the Aislabie family in 1731.

Seeing the wonderful water garden that his father John created at Studley Royal Estate, William Aislabie decided to develop a picturesque wooded garden which he started in 1749.

This was carefully planned and landscaped to appear completely natural to the visitor. 

The 18th century garden had four components:

• Trees and plants
• Water
• Folly buildings and seats
• Paths

The design was then developed around views of both the built features, such as the follies, waterfalls, cascades and pools, and the natural features, including the cliffs, the River Ure valley and Masham Church. Trees were cleared to open up the views but the more subtly this was achieved the more successful it was.

The Green Frog Service: Wedgwood & Bentley's Imperial Russian Service 

William’s garden proved very popular and became a fashionable place to visit for the rich and famous.

Several scenes from it even featured on a dinner service design, known as the Green Frog, which was commissioned in by Empress Catherine the Great of Russia for one of her palaces and was made in 1773-4.

Find out more about Hackfall in the 20th century