The Alnwick Garden celebrates a quarter of a century of growing

In October 2001 the first phase of The Alnwick Garden opened to the public, with the Grand Cascade, Rose Garden, Ornamental Garden and Woodland Walk. A quarter of a century later, it has become one of Northumberland's most distinctive days out.

There has been a garden here since 1750, when the 1st Duke of Northumberland employed Capability Brown. By the 1990s it had long ceased to be a working garden, and the Duchess of Northumberland, Jane Percy, set out to create something new. Belgian designers Jacques and Peter Wirtz were commissioned to interpret her vision, and construction began in 2000.

The garden kept growing. The Treehouse, a 6,000 square foot complex, opened in December 2004, and the Poison Garden followed in February 2005. Conceived by the Duchess, it holds more than 100 toxic and narcotic plants, explored on guided tours full of tales from the history of poison.

In 2008 the Cherry Orchard opened with 326 Taihaku cherry trees, which the garden describes as the largest Japanese Cherry Orchard in the world, and swings were added among the trees in 2018. The Bamboo Labyrinth, Serpent Garden and Forgotten Garden Adventure Golf add to the fun, and in 2023 Lilidorei opened, home to nine invisible clans who prepare for Christmas.

The garden is run by a registered charity, and any surplus is reinvested in the garden and local communities. Its programmes include Elderberries, Roots and Shoots, Young Gardeners and Grow Into Work. It has collected plenty of accolades along the way, including Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Gold in 2022 and an Accessible and Inclusive Tourism award in 2024.

There is plenty to look forward to this winter, too. Winter Lights returns for Christmas 2026, with Father Christmas in the Lilidorei grotto and wreath-making workshops.

Whether you come for the cascade, the cherry blossom or a slightly spine-tingling tour of the Poison Garden, The Alnwick Garden proves that a garden can be bold, playful and good for the community at the same time.

Tickets, memberships and seasonal events are on The Alnwick Garden website.