Accessible Britain

113 The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Address: Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1YU Web: www.alnwickgarden.com Tel: 01665
511350 Hours: 27 Mar–Oct daily 10am–6pm, Nov–26 Mar daily 11am–5pm Dates: check website for
closures Entry: 27 Mar–Oct [D]£10.45 [C]free [A]£12.10 [under 5s ]free [5–16s] £4.40 [Con]£10.45 [Fam]
£29.70; Nov–26 Mar [D]£5.83 [C]free [A]£7.70 [under 5s ]free [5–16s] £4 [Con]£5.83 [Fam] £21.50
Twelve years ago, the Duchess of Northumberland set up a trust to transform an area
of derelict wasteland into a spectacular contemporary garden. The result is the Alnwick
Garden. With its colourful Cherry Orchard, the meandering Bamboo Labyrinth and
watery Serpent Garden, it feels like a fantasy land.
Water and light are used to theatrical effect at Alnwick: the huge central Grand
Cascade is unlike any run-of-the-mill water features you may have seen elsewhere
– its fountains and jets erupt on a spectacularly complex cycle, while visitors try to
dodge them. Children are allowed to paddle in the Toricelli feature in the Serpent
garden – be sure to bring them a change of clothing. The plants grown in the infamous
Poison Garden require a special licence from the Home Office, and can only be viewed
on guided tours. But perhaps the most enchanting feature at Alnwick is the Treehouse,
which is accessible, remarkably – in this huge cedar, pine and redwood building, trees
grow through the floor and wooden walkways lead outdoors into the surrounding treetops,
while a roaring log fire keeps everyone cosy.
It seems that considerations for disabled visitors were at the forefront of the
design plans. Disabled parking is close to all the main buildings and garden features,
so you don’t have to trek for miles to get to the best bits and back again. The garden has
The Alnwick Garden
THE NORTHEAST AND YORKSHIRE
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