If the weather is reasonable and time plentiful
then it makes sense to take the comparatively short route to
the open temple before walking
back again to complete the southern arm of the terrace to the
Doric Temple. From there you can enjoy wonderful views northwards
over the ancient market town of Helmsley and, to the south-east,
down into the valley of the River Rye. Then again it is difficult
to resist exploring the Yew Walk which extends westwards from
the Rotunda.
Ionic Temple
You
can take in some spectacular views from the Ionic
Temple.
Originally these yew trees
were clipped to form a hedge marking the inside of another
terrace which follows the line of the massive serpentine
wall which holds this end of the garden together (probably
the first use of a Ha-Ha in English gardening). However,
over the centuries pruning has been neglected and the yew
trees now send out their limbs in great arches above the
path where the curious traveller will find himself incarcerated
by them rather like Jonah in the whale. Here we find that
Nature has recaptured the initiative from Man.
Close to the Rotunda and the Yew Walk stands one of the tallest
ash trees in England (148 feet) and elsewhere in the park, not
readily accessible to the public, stands the tallest lime tree
(154 feet).
