Gardens in Northumberland

Alnwick & Morpeth Region

Alnwick Garden

Experience and marvel at the making and continual development of one of the most unusual and spectacular public gardens of the 21st Century.

The centrepiece of The Alnwick Garden is the Grand Cascade, a magnificent tumbling mass of water, ending in an eruption of fountains sending 350 litres of water into the air every second. A computer system synchronises four sensational displays that offer not only a visual treat but more interactive enjoyment too for younger visitors who can play amongst the water jets.

Beyond the Grand Cascade lies the Ornamental Garden, a symmetrical structured garden with a strong European influence, brimming with over 16,500 plants.
Within the newly opened Serpent Garden, a holly serpent holds fascinating water sculptures designed by one of the world’s leading water sculptors, William Pye.
Nestled in a corner of The Garden is the Rose Garden, a mixture of pergola lined paths and walkways, covered in climbing and shrub roses mixed with glorious clematis and honeysuckle. This garden combines colour and fragrance to tempt the senses, with a collection of over 3000 roses.
The bamboo Labyrinth is a one-way maze created by one of the world’s leading maze designers, Adrian Fisher. Once you have started, you must always keep moving forwards, and never turn back. You will find the ingenious challenge formed by the paths surprisingly difficult to solve.
In the Poison Garden you can come face to face with plants so deadly they have to be kept behind bars! With some of world’s most poisonous plants growing side by side, you will be guided through this garden finding out all sorts of stories about how plants have killed and cured over the ages.
Outside of the main Garden wall lies the Treehouse, an enormous wooden structure with turrets and suspended walkways in the sky. Accessed by ramp, this treehouse is accessible to all. Why not enjoy a meal at the heart of the treehouse where the unique interior with a huge open log fire, high backed chairs, tree-sliced tables and creepers creates a completely natural looking environment?

The Alnwick Garden team and volunteers are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about The Alnwick Garden. A warm welcome awaits you in the Garden Cafe and Treehouse with a range of freshly prepared home-made fare. There are 14 wheelchairs available for use by visitors - phone 01665 511350 to reserve one. Adults now £10* entrance fee, there is also a £2 fee for car parking - See website! (updated May 2008)
Open 364 days of the year. For up todate entry prices and admission times please see the www.alnwickgarden.com website for further information.

Bide-a-Wee Cottage
Stanton, Netherwitton, Morpeth   Tel 01670 772262

This delightful garden at Bide-a-Wee Cottage set in a disused quarry covers around 2 acres. It was designed by Mark Robson and has many colourful plantings making full use of the quarry rock faces. There are many wildflowers including a National Collection of Cornflowers. Sea also the spring fed pool with astilbes and loosestrife. There are also Rhododendrons, conifers and grasses, and many unusual plants. Bide-a-Wee Cottage is a real plants-man's garden.
Open: May - August. Sats and Weds only - 1.30pm - 5pm. Partial disabled access.
• Web Site

Belsay Quarry Gardens
Belsay, Morpeth

Belsay Hall houses 30 acres of magnificent formal and informal gardens including the famous quarry gardens with their distinct micro-climate. Here rhododendrons may be found in bloom even in the middle of winter. The Cragwood Walk is especially popular in February when it has a carpet of snowdrops. In June the whole Garden is a mass of colour!
Open: daily, from April - September (2008) 10:00am - 5:00pm and October 10:00am - 4:00pm, 7 days. November - March 10:00am - 4:00pm Thursday - Monday. Tea Shop open as house April to October, March weekends only.
See Visitor Information on the English Heritage website for current information. Or telephone: +44 (0)1661 881636. Partially accessible for visitors in wheelchairs.
 • Visitor Information

Howick Hall
Nr. Longhoughton, Alnwick.

The collection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas is particularly striking in early June, although there are some stunning early rhododendrons displayed in the woodland walks near the house. The spring bulbs however are stunning and delightful. Howick was the home of Earl Grey, the Prime Minister of England from 1830-1834, whose favourite tea blend is now the most popular tea blend in the world. The recently opened Earl Grey Tea Room is situated within the house, although the main house is not open to the public.. There are many woodland walks, the "long walk" leads from the garden to the sea. See the web site for further information. The Summer Borders are an absolute delight!

NB. Posted 19th April - The Azaleas, early Rhododendrons and Camelias are just about at their best at the moment in the Silverwood with a fantastic and diverse display of colour - they are a 'must see'
2009 Open: 1st April - 15th November Daily 12:00pm - 6pm last entry 5:00pm. Price 2009, Adult £5.00. Pensioners £4.00. Accompanied children free. Tel: +44 (0)1665 577285. Dogs are not allowed in the gardens.
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Cragside
Rothbury

"Fantastic" is the only word to describe the setting for Lord Armstrong's Cragside. bring your walking boots and explore this truly wonderful landscape. 900 acres of hillside, lakes and woodlands with paths and country drives, famous for their early summer displays of colourful rhododendrons. Cragside House was the first in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity and "The Power Circuit" is a 1.5 mile circular walk which includes the restored Ram and Power Houses with their hydraulic and hydro-electric machinery. The remarkable Orchard House, ferneries, rose loggia and Italian garden are all within walking distance of the Country House at the heart of the estate. The formal garden includes a spectacular display of dahlia's in August/September. The top terrace of formal garden, where there is a new butterfly and bee garden, is accessible for wheelchair users. There is an adventure playground near Nellie's Moss lakes, with the "Labyrinth Maze" nearby.
2009 Garden open from 28th February to 20th December, House until 1st November. See the Cragside website for comprehensive information or you can telephone +44 (0)1669 620333.
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Wallington Gardens
Near Cambo

Beautiful 100 acre grounds consisting of lawns, lakes, gardens (famous for their scented roses) and woodland with a particularly attractive walled garden and conservatory. The grounds bear the distinctive hallmark of landscape architect Capability Brown, who was born in Cambo. There are fine walks along the river Wansbeck. The woods attract a variety of interesting birdlife including both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The gardens include scented plants and a Braille guide is available.
Grounds open: All year (daylight hours from 10am) Walled Garden restricted opening times. Restaurant and Farm Shop year round.
See Web site for opening hours or Tel: +44 (0)1670 774283.
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Herterton House Gardens
Near Cambo

Herterton House is a 16th century farmhouse set in small formal garden of 1 acre, with topiary, physic and flower gardens, a plant nursery and "fancy" garden with 2 storey gazebo. It is an absolute delight to walk around and should be a must on your visit to Northumberland. It is five minutes drive north of Wallington Hall just off the B6342.
Open: Apr-Sept, Mon, Wed, Fri-Sun, 1330-1730.
Further information: +44 (0)1670 774278.

Longframlington Gardens

Nursery and plant centre with Enroute coffee shop.
12 acres of landscaped gardens and recently planted arboretum. Topical Climate Change Interpretation and Display throughout the garden walks. Take in the seasonal change of the all-year interest planting schemes, large range of labelled plants.
Open all year, daily 08.30am - 5:00pm. Tel: (01665) 570382.
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South Northumberland

Chesters Walled Garden
Near Chollerford