Editing Gisborough Priory (section)

===Priory Gardens and Monks' Pond===
[[File:The Monks' Walk - geograph.org.uk - 610087.jpg|right|thumb|alt=A straight leaf-covered path between two rows of old trees|The Monks' Walk in the Gisborough Priory Gardens]]
Land immediately south of the priory was used by the Chaloners for formal gardens attached to Old Gisborough Hall. In the early 18th century they planted an oval-shaped double avenue of trees, the Monks' Walk, where stonework recovered from mid-19th century excavations was deposited. In between the trees was a manicured lawn used to hold musical and theatrical productions.<ref name="Darnton48" /> The Monks' Walk fell into disuse and became overgrown, but it was restored by the Gisborough Priory Project between 2007 and 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Monk’s Walk - Gisborough Priory Project |url=https://gisboroughprioryproject.org.uk/the_monks_walk/ |website=gisboroughprioryproject.org.uk |access-date=21 August 2024 |date=4 August 2021}}</ref>

In the late 19th century, Margaret Chaloner, wife of the [[Richard Chaloner, 1st Baron Gisborough|first Lord Gisborough]], laid out formal gardens of a typical late-Victorian and Edwardian design with elaborate bedding schemes and gravelled paths.<ref name="Darnton49">{{harvnb|Darnton|2004|page=49}}</ref> There was a rose garden and a sunken Italian garden with an ornamental pool at its centre. They were open to the public for a small fee and could be entered through a gateway on Bow Street.<ref name="Darnton51">{{harvnb|Darnton|2004|page=51}}</ref> The gardens are now freely accessible.

Further east, off the Whitby Road, is the Monks' Pond, the canons' fish pond. It presents a dramatic vista in which the priory arch is reflected and has often been photographed and painted. In 1908, the pond was the scene of an elaborate water tableau organised by Lady Gisborough to raise funds for the restoration of St Nicholas' Church.<ref name="Darnton51" /> The pond was home to a number of exceptionally large fish, but pollution in 2000 caused by a sewage leak led to the death of more than 5,000 fish.<ref>{{cite news|last=Relton|first=Katie|title=5,000 fish die in ancient lake|work=Durham County Publications|date=4 September 2000}}</ref>