The Millennium Garden situated on Castle Street, Spofforth was officially opened by the Mayor of Harrogate in 2004. The land was originally allotments but before they were popular so the site was derelict. Funding for the Millennium Garden was raised at a spectacular Millennium Celebration at Spofforth Castle in 2001 with a theatrical production which documented the 1,000 years of history in Spofforth from the arrival of the Vikings and through the association of the Northern Barons with the Royal Family. For the occasion reinvited every Spofforth in the country through that old-fashioned medium – the telephone directory! The weekend attracted 126 Spofforths – the furthest came from Australia, but there were others from America including Hawaii, many from Europe and the closest lived in York! A great occasion!

Having raised the funds, Spofforth Council approached Askham Bryan College in York who asked their Final Year students to take the plot and create a Garden for us. There was tough competition and finally work started clearing the site in 2003 by local gardeners – Carl and Gary Marston. Benches were offered to villagers in memory of loved ones and one of the outstanding features is a sun-dial, made in Cornwall. There is also a lavender hedge so in the summer the scent fills the air.