Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is a stunning family attraction just 40 minutes from Newcastle with treetop walkways, 100 deadly plants behind locked gates, beautiful cherry blossoms and a miniature castle for kidsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Alnwick Garden’s famous Cherry Orchard blossoms in full bloom(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
In the heart of Northumberland, lies an enchanting modern garden complete with elevated walkways, its very own toxic plant collection and soaring delphiniums.
During springtime, Alnwick Garden bursts with a canopy of gorgeous cherry blossoms – and children can swing amongst the petals on charming wooden twin-seat swings. The Japanese Cherry Orchard springs to life with all of its magnificent 326 Taihaku cherry trees. Yet the spectacle continues during the chillier months. In October the same trees’ foliage transforms to a stunning rich bronze shade, according to Visit Northumberland.
Lilidorei transformed into Spookydorei for the Halloween(Image: Simon Greener/Newcastle Chronicle)
The garden, brimming with vibrant patches of colour, was conceived through the Duchess of Northumberland’s vision of a breathtaking landscape garden featuring interactive water displays and a genuinely distinctive miniature fortress for youngsters, reports Chronicle Live.
Created by Jacques and Peter Wirtz, the Grand Cascade forms the garden’s centrepiece with water cascading through the multi-level fountains.
Nevertheless, if you wander to the garden’s edges, there’s additional treasure to uncover, including the Rose Garden, the Serpent Garden and the Poisonous Garden.
People enjoying the blue skies and sunshine amongst the Tai Haku Cherry Tree Orchard (Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
For those undaunted by altitude – there’s also a 200-metre long, raised timber pathway snaking through a grove of lime trees. Forming part of one of the globe’s largest wooden treehouses, the construction boasts unstable bridges and rope passages.
Beyond secured wrought iron gates sits the garden housing more than 100 hazardous plants including poisonous and narcotic varieties. Access to the garden is restricted to private guided tours only – which inform visitors about the sinister aspects of horticulture.
A brief stroll from the main garden leads to Lilidorei- an enchanting immersive village offering numerous activities for children including Elf story time, according to Lilidorei’s website.
Salvia divinorum in the poisonous garden (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
The 26-metre play structure features bridges, ladders, swings and towers plus six different slides – sufficient to entertain youngsters for hours.
Kelly B said on Trip Advisor: ” What made the visit still worth it was Lilidorei (I’ve written a separate review for that) and the Poison Garden.
“The Poison Garden is completely fenced in and you can only go inside during a guided tour (free with garden admission). I timed it just right and was able to join a tour shortly after they started. I’m not sure what her name was, but we had an excellent guide. We got to see the plants and hear about how they were poisonous.
“The guide had pictures to show us of what they look like blooming. A few of the plants were even in cages for safety reasons. We got to hear some stories of murderers who used the poisons to kill their victims, some fairly recently. It was a fascinating tour.”
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