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Garden visits main menu ..... The Land of sea and fresh air – the North East The North East of England has a particular beauty. There are miles of golden sands and countryside packed with hidden treasures. Gentle rolling hills and uplands entice you to explore and linger. Sometimes described as being 'rugged and Roman' the region offers visitors not only a wealth of history but also 'A gardeners' world in a region'. The counties of Durham, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear make up the North East region and contribute to its diversity. From country pubs to spotting puffins on the Farne Islands you can suddenly be transported into the hustle and bustle of lively cities such as Newcastle.
The region offers you historic gardens which are often the backdrop for grand country houses. The great garden designer Capability Brown was born in Northumberland in 1716 and influenced many of the gardens in the region. Along the coast at Holy Island Gertrude Jekyll created a wonderful walled garden in the lea of Lindisfarne Castle and the wonderful transformation of the historic gardens at Alnwick Castle are an absolute delight. Below we list just some of the many gardens to visit in the region:
Not far from Alnwick is Howick Hall Gardens, whose most famous owner, the 2nd Earl Grey, is better known for giving his name to tea. There has been a family tradition of planting at Howick for centuries and the present Lord Howick of Glendale has kept up the that tradition. The latest development at the Gardens is the new arboretum and recently a very special tree was planted – a Chinese Wingnut – which will hopefully grow as tall as 25 metres. The tree, which was heeled in by Roy Lancaster, marks the official opening of one of the largest wild collected arboretums in the country. The gardens offer something for every season. Cragside House has breathtaking gardens – the creation of Lord Armstrong the Victorian inventor and landscape genius, the gardens include five lakes and one of Europe's biggest rock gardens. The recently restored cascade is stunning and the visitor can enjoy over 7 million trees and shrubs in the extensive landscape. On a smaller scale but just as magical is The Garden Station, a restored Victorian railway station with an intimate and charming garden. Here you will find many unusual plants and a woodland walk. www.thegardenstation.co.uk Other gardens in the area include Wallington House, Seaton Delaval Hall and Herterton House Gardens. Gardens of Durham Raby Castle and Gardens is the family home of the 11th Lord Barnard and is one of the largest and most impressive English medieval castles. The 18th century formal garden was designed by Thomas Wright with heated walls to cultivate sub-tropical fruits. The gardens also have a woodland walk and large walled gardens. www.rabycastle.com The Bowes Museum is a sheer delight – this beautiful French styled chateau houses one of the greatest collections of European fine and decorative art in the North of England. The museum is surrounded by manicured gardens in the French style. The gardens are relatively small but if you like combining gardens with art then this is a venue for you. There is a wonderful collection in the house of furniture and china and it is well worth a visit. www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk The University of Durham has an excellent Botanic Garden set in stunning countryside and mature woodland. Here you will find plants from North America, the Himalayas and China as well as rainforest and desert plants. www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden Gardens of Tyne & Wear Gibside is an 18th century landscaped garden for 21st century gardeners. It is a forest garden with miles of woodland and riverside walks, the former home of the Queen Mother's family, the Bowes-Lyons, it was created over 200 years ago and landscaped by Capability Brown. National Trust website. Ormesby Hall and Gardens is a National Trust property and the intimate home lived in by the Pennyman family for over 300 years. The gardens are a mix of colourful cottage-style planting within a parkland setting. National Trust website Washington Old Hall is the historic stone-built manor house associated with George Washington’s family. The gardens include a Jacobean walk that leads to a Nuttery (wildflower nut orchard). National Trust website. Just some of the many splendid gardens in the North-East region where you can really experience a 'Gardeners world in a region'. © Reckless Gardener Magazine 2005 - 2006 Mill Cottage New Media |
The Alnwick Garden is perhaps one of the most exciting contemporary gardens which has been created in the last century. Set in a stunning landscape designed by Capability Brown, the present Duchess of Northumberland has brought her vision to life to create a beautiful public space which is open to everyone. Particularly stunning is the Pergola-lined rose garden and the Grand Cascade with its magical waterfalls and fountains. For more information about Alnwick log onto Buy Online |