May/June 2021

FUNCTION VENUES
CASE STUDY
The Alnwick
UFINAK PHOTOGRAPHY
Garden
An incredible contemporary garden
with hidden secrets, including the
world’s largest treehouse!
Home to the largest treehouse
in the world, the two events
venues in this 21st century
garden offer a number of
options for weddings, parties
and corporate gatherings
managed by a close-knit
team of three. We talk to
marketing manager
Tracy Cullen.
When did you start your venue
business and what is its history?
Created by the Duchess of
Northumberland with the build starting
in 2000, The Alnwick Garden is a 12 acre
modern garden combining sculptures,
water features, beautiful plants, cafes,
a restaurant and two outstanding
wedding venues.
The garden is adjacent to Alnwick
Castle and has a long history under
the dukes of Northumberland, but fell
into disrepair until revived at the turn
of the 21st century. It now belongs to a
charitable trust, which is separate from
Northumberland Estates, although the
12th Duke of Northumberland donated
the site and contributed £9 million
towards redevelopment costs.
Tell us about your location and site
Situated in Alnwick, in the picturesque
rural county of Northumberland, The
Alnwick Garden is a visitor attraction,
a place to eat and drink and a place
to celebrate weddings and events
surrounded by natural beauty. It
contains the largest collection of
European plants, the largest Japanese
cherry orchard in the world, the
infamous Poison Garden, and the
“WITH SOME-
THING FOR
ALL SEASONS,
ALNWICK
GARDEN IS
A TREASURE
TROVE OF
DELIGHTFUL
FLORA AND
FAUNA WHERE
THE MOST
AMAZING
PHOTOGRAPHS
CAN BE
CAPTURED”
largest treehouse in the world, which
incorporates a restaurant and doubles
as a wedding venue.
For weddings and events in the
main garden, couples and organisers
get exclusive access to the event
space - the Pavilion Room, which
features a stunning grid shell roof and
was designed by Hopkins Architects.
They also get access to a section of the
Atrium, the East Terrace and, once the
garden closes to the public, exclusive
access to the whole site. All guests can
explore and enjoy the different areas,
from the Chinese Bamboo Labyrinth,
the Grand Cascade with its half-hourly
water displays, to the opulent Rose
Garden with heady scents wafting in the
summer breeze.
With something for all seasons,
Alnwick Garden is a treasure trove of
delightful flora and fauna where the
most amazing photographs can be
captured.
The major challenge is ensuring
privacy for wedding couples whilst the
garden is open to the public and we
do this by cordoning areas, such as the
section of the Atrium and East Terrace
and the front of the Pavilion, so there are
no passers-by peering in.
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