Howick Hall Gardens
Howick Hall Gardens are aimed at the real gardener, providing inspiration and stunning planting schemes all year round. Located near the coast to the East of Alnwick, Howick Hall is open to the public from early February to mid November each year. The season kicks off with their annual Snowdrop Festival and from there highlights include the gorgeous daffodil display in March and the wonderful Spring show. There isn't a more spectacular horticultural display in the whole County than when the Magnolias, Rhododendrons, Camelias and Tulips bloom. Perhaps only the famous Rhododendrons of Cragside House and Gardens can be called a rival. The Formal, Bog Gardens and the Arboretum provide interest through Summer and Autumn.The gardens are mainly the work of the 5th Earl Grey, Charles, his wife Mabel and their daughter Lady Mary Howick who developed the gardens between 1920 and 2001. The garden is possibly most famous for its huge number of Spring bulbs with snowdrops in February and March marking the Snowdrop Festival. Most of the bulbs were planted by Lady Howick between the first and second world war and now provide a beautiful carpet-like display across the gardens. More information about the various bulbs in the garden can be found on their website.
A personal highlight for me at Howick Hall Gardens is the Arboretum, which opened to the public in 2006. Boasting some 11,000 trees and shrubs and covering an astonishing 65 acres it is planted in 6 geographical areas: China and the Himalayas; East Asia; India and Pakistan; North America; Europe and the Southern Hemisphere.
Howick Hall Gardens has been rated by the BBC Gardener's World Magazine as one of the top 5 coastal gardens in the country and rated the Independent Magazine as 'one of the Best 10 Gardens to visit in spring'. In 2009 Howick Hall was named Garden of the Year by Gardens Illustrated and Gardens Museum Magazine.
Postcode for your SatNav: NE66 3LB
Contact Information:
Howick Estate Office
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 3LB
Telephone Number: 01665 577 285
Earl Grey Tea House Telephone Number: 01665 572232
Admissions Kiosk Telephone Numbero: 01665 577191
Visit their Website
Howick Hall Gardens is located near the coast, just off stage 2 of the Northumberland Coast Path.