As one of a small number of university botanic gardens remaining around the UK, Thwaite is a unique resource in the East Yorkshire region.
Thwaite Hall was originally known as Thwaite House, built between 1803 and 1807 for the Hull merchant John Hentig on a 12.5ha (31 acre) estate in Cottingham, East Yorkshire. The University of Hull’s botanic garden began in 1948 in the grounds of Thwaite Hall, which was then one of the University’s halls of residence.
The gardens pack a lot into an area of just over 1ha (2.5 acres) and comprise lawned areas, herbaceous borders, a winter border, herb garden, bog garden, alpine beds, sub-tropical beds, Mediterranean and Antipodean beds. The glasshouses contain an evolution-themed display, a cacti collection, a fern house, Southern Hemisphere collection and a carnivorous bed.
The grounds are managed as a collaboration between the University and the Friends, with teaching and research being carried out in the gardens.
The Friends have written a booklet covering a fuller history of the gardens as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations. Get in touch if you want to know more.
Photo credits: Lindsey Atkinson
Friends of Thwaite Gardens 