I’m a huge fan of amazingly curated gardens (I think it comes with age!). Discover the most beautiful open gardens to visit around the North East with this list of my top picks.
Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, public gardens may experience unforeseen restrictions and changes to their opening hours. To avoid disappointment, I strongly advise contacting the gardens directly before visiting.
Alnwick Garden, Alnwick
One of the world’s most contemporary gardens, The Alnwick Garden offers adventure and intrigue in the heart of Northumberland.
Reopens 29th March 2021
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.alnwickgarden.com
Bide-A-Wee Cottage Gardens, Morpeth
If you are visiting Northumberland then a visit to the Bide-a-Wee Cottage Gardens is a must for all those that enjoy gardens and imaginative planting. The gardens contain a huge variety of perennials, shrubs grasses and ferns planted in a formal and informal style.
Reopens: TBC
Carpark: ❌ (street parking available)
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.bideawee.co.uk
Birkheads Secret Gardens, Gateshead
A rural garden run on eco-friendly principles with themed areas.
Reopens: 30th March 2021
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: http://www.birkheadssecretgardens.co.uk
Bradley Gardens, Wylam
Bradley Gardens is a hidden gem situated on the edge of the Tyne Valley. This tranquil 18th century walled garden has now been brought back to its former glory and is continuing to grow and flourish.
Reopens: 13th April 2021
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: http://www.bradley-gardens.co.uk/
Dilston Physic Garden, Corbridge
A unique and modern physic garden. Dilston Physic Garden is a dedicated enterprise exploring and educating on the science of plants for health and medicine.
Reopens: 3rd March 2021
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ❌
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://dilstonphysicgarden.com
Durham University Botanic Garden, Durham
This 10 hectare university Botanic Garden is set amongst beautiful mature woodlands on the southern outskirts of Durham city. Open to the public, the Botanic Garden is a leading attraction in Durham, with guests young and old visiting throughout the year. You can wander through the alpine garden, winter garden, bamboo grove, glasshouses and the recently developed woodland garden and wild flower meadow.
Reopens: 11th January 2021
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden/
English Heritage Properties
– Belsay Hall & Gardens
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens
– Brodsworth Hall & Gardens
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/brodsworth-hall-and-gardens
– Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/mount-grace-priory
The Garden Station, Hexham
A restored Victorian Railway Station in a woodland garden in Langley-on-Tyne, near Hexham in beautiful Northumberland.
Reopens: January 2021
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: TBC
Food/Drinks Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.thegardenstation.co.uk
Herterton House, Morpeth
A sixteenth century farmhouse with a walled garden. There is topiary, a physic garden and a flower garden.
Reopens: TBC
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food/Drink Options: ❌
Toilets: ✅
Website: N/A
Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum, Howick
Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum, the ancestral seat of the Earls Grey since 1319, is set in over 65 acres of land – a united nation of shrubs and trees.
Reopens: January 2021
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://howickhallgardens.com
Longframlington Gardens, Morpeth
A 12 acre garden and arboretum, developed since 1998. You’ll also find rope art and a display about climate change.
Reopens: TBC
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: http://longframlingtongardens.co.uk
National Trust Properties
– Cragside
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside
– Gibside
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
– Seaton Delaval Hall
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall
– Wallington
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington
– Washington Old Hall
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall
Sunderland Museum and Winter Garden, Sunderland
The Winter Gardens, a 21st Century addition to the museum, is a tropical paradise and home to the resident Koi Carp. Over 2,000 plants thrive in the glass rotunda and from the tree top walkway visitors have a bird’s eye view of beautiful Mowbray Park.
Reopens: 12th April 2021
Carpark: ❌
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food/Drinks Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/
Thornton Hall Gardens, Darlington
When you visit the gardens you’ll find many rare and unusual perennials, interspersed with interesting trees and imaginative shrubs including over 100 roses, collections of delphiniums, paeonies and irises in a profusion of mixed curvaceous borders and island beds, secretive areas with quirky sculptures as well as a meadow and vegetable garden.
Reopens: Monday, 31st May (please note Thornton Hall is a working farm, so is only open on select days)
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: http://thorntonhallgardens.co.uk/
Wynyard Hall Gardens, Tees Valley
Spend a day exploring the stunning Rose Garden, Edible Garden, Wild Garden and Woodland Walk that are spread out over 150 acres.
Reopens: 29th March 2021
Carpark: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.wynyardhall.co.uk
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