Goddards, York Travel Guide

Goddards House and Garden stands on the southern edge of York as a quiet testament to the city’s rich chocolate-making past. Built in 1927 for Noel and Kathleen Terry of the Terry’s chocolate family, the house was designed in the Arts and Crafts style by local architect Walter Brierley, often called the ‘Lutyens of the North’. The surrounding five-acre garden was laid out by George Dillistone, creating a series of intimate garden rooms that blend formal structure with natural charm. Though the house is now used as regional offices for the National Trust and not open to the public, the garden remains a beautifully preserved space where the legacy of the Terry family quietly lingers.

The garden unfolds as a sequence of distinct outdoor spaces, each with its own character. A formal terrace overlooks lawns and a cruciform lily pool fed by a semi-circular reflecting pool, once surrounded by roses. Herbaceous borders burst with colour and scent, while a fragrant garden and a small kitchen garden offer a more practical charm. A rock garden and wildlife pond support local biodiversity, and a historic glasshouse adds a touch of Edwardian elegance. The paddock orchard, with its fruit trees, looks out across the Knavesmire towards York Racecourse, where the old Terry’s factory clock tower is still visible—a subtle but powerful link between family home and factory life.

The house itself is a fine example of early 20th-century Arts and Crafts design, with handmade local bricks laid in geometric patterns, decorative chimney stacks, and carefully proportioned windows and doors. Though visitors cannot tour the interior, the exterior and surrounding walls, including the Grade II* listed carriage entrance, reflect the craftsmanship and attention to detail characteristic of Brierley’s work. The garden’s layout, with its axial views, formal ponds, and carefully framed vistas, complements the house’s architectural language, creating a harmonious whole that feels both grand and homely.

Despite its proximity to York city centre, Goddards feels like a secluded retreat. Mature trees frame the lawns and borders, softening the urban edge and creating a sense of enclosure. Benches are scattered throughout, inviting quiet contemplation, while the terrace offers a sunny spot to enjoy takeaway drinks and light snacks. The garden is particularly lovely in spring and early summer, when wisteria drapes the air with fragrance and colour, but it remains attractive through the warmer months with its changing displays of flowers, foliage, and fruit. It’s a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the interplay of history, horticulture, and chocolate heritage.