Gardens of Northumberland
Alnwick Garden
The brainchild of the Duchess of Northumberland and fabulous. Great for grannies, great for families - an all-round good thing. The children can paddle in the rills, drive tractors and get lost in the maze. Watch out for the Latin message in the centre of the maze: ”Visitors, you have seen everything. We thank you. Now happily piss off.” (No kidding.) You can smell the roses and watch the fountains while you eat cake. Oh yes, and there’s a treehouse. Who needs more than that?
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Howick Hall & Gardens
Extensive, glorious gardens with beautiful walks. Watch for the spring bulbs coming through, the bog garden and the trees. Trees are a bit of a speciality. Also has probably my favorite and very grand café where you are morally obliged to drink Earl Grey tea (this being the home of the Grey family and the best known scion being the second Earl Grey, etc.)
For further details and images, click here
To discover the wide range of gardens waiting for you in Northumberland, go to www.visitnorthumberland.com
Wife in the North castles & historic sites