Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, has been in the Tom Orde-Powlett’s family since it was built in 1379.

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The country gardens on the grounds of the castle will reopen on Monday 29 March, every day from 10am to 5pm.

Behind the scenes at the castle there has been a hive of activity in the gardens including the preparation of the new medieval style flower beds – entitled Poisons & Plague and Magic & Myth which incorporate plants which were once used for protection and in magic spells.

Also pruned and waiting is a herb garden, a rose garden, a dyers’ garden for colouring cloth, and a Mary Garden (or Catholic Garden) containing over sixty different types of plant all dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Elizabeth Carter, a gardener at Bolton Castle, said: “There is no doubt that it is a beautiful place where visitors can relax and wander at their leisure enjoying the scent, colour and history of a medieval garden.”

The maze and vineyard will also be open, and garden tickets start at £4.50 per adult.

Jacqui Naylor, the general manager at Bolton Castle, said: ‘We’re really looking forward to welcoming our visitors back.

“We recognise that people are keen to stretch their legs and take in the fresh air, within a safe environment so we’re really keen our visitors feel secure yet relaxed.

“Our views over the Wensleydale valley are phenomenal and with the castle as your backdrop, you really couldn’t get a better location.”

Looking ahead Bolton Castle will resume its falconry displays from April 12 as part of the roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions.

The gardens will then come alive on May 1 as medieval reenactors demonstrating typical activities, on the battlefield and at leisure for the castle’s event.

While the castle, tea room and shop will reopen from May 17.

For more information about Bolton Castle, visit here.