Route: The Alnwick Garden
Area: Northumberland
Date of walk: 4th September 2017
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly, Lucy, Jody, Phoebe and baby Bobby
Distance: 4.0 miles
Weather: Cloudy
It’s hard to believe that the space which is now The Alnwick Garden was a semi-derelict former tree nursery until recent years. Since 2001 a complete transformation has taken place at a reputed development cost of £42m and the garden is now home to numerous examples of groundbreaking modern garden design, as well as a traditional ornamental walled garden
On arrival we went to the Poison Garden, which is entered via a locked gate and where an amusing guide told us tales of the darker side of plants, the most deadly specimens being grown in cages. It was interesting how many of the plants in the garden were quite common, including several we grow in our garden at home. There were others (which I hasten to say we don’t grow at home), such as Khat and Cannabis which are grown under licence from the Home Office
After that fascinating visit we went on to explore the other areas of the garden, including the Grand Cascade, the Ornamental Garden, the Serpent Garden and the Roots and Shoots Garden
After lunch in the Treehouse (one of the largest such structures in the world) there was time for Gilly and I to make a brief visit to nearby Alnwick Castle. It was a wonderful visit, enjoyed by young and old alike, and as this was a family outing rather than a walk, I’ve added a few photos for the family album…
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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Granddaughter Phoebe looking out to sea from the bedroom window of The Bathing House, where we're staying this week
Daughter Lucy and baby Bobby
Bobby, almost walking now
Later that morning we arrive at The Alwick Garden
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea in a beautiful pea green boat
The Grand Cascade greets us as we enter...
We take a guided tour around the Poison Garden
A secret door into the Ornamental Garden...
Some photos of the Ornamental Garden...
Roses still in bloom
Japanese anemone
Alstroemeria
Pots of agapanthus
One of the many water features in the Serpent Garden
The Bamboo Labyrinth
Arched tunnel of hornbeam near the Grand Cascade
A magical bench that sings when you sit on it and hold hands
Jody, Bobby, Lucy and Phoebe in the Cherry Orchard
The Treehouse
Wobbly bridge by the Treehouse
Time to go
Gilly and I walked to nearby Alnwick Castle - a few photos of the castle to round off a great visit...
