A NORTH Yorkshire arboretum is to become the first garden in the north to take part in a Silent Space project.

Thorp Perrow Arboretum near Bedale aims to create a quiet space for visitors to enjoy a moment of peace, away from phones and the distractions of modern life.

Silent Space is a project run by garden writer, Liz Ware. She said: "Our lives are very hectic and we rarely allow ourselves time to be quiet. "It’s all too easy to miss out on the restorative benefits of being peaceful in a green place."

Recent research has shown that spending short periods of time in silence and enjoying the sounds of the nature is not only very good for us but it also deepens our connection with the natural world.

Visit thorpperrow.com.