Gorgeous Gardens North East

Northumberland has many gorgeous gardens to enjoy but if you’re travelling a little further afield and find yourself stepping over the the border into Durham, Cumbria or Tyne & Wear you’ll discover there are many more North Eastern gardens to indulge in.

alt="Ushaw formal gardens taken from above of huge rhododendrons"
Ushaw Gardens

Just 4 miles from the historic City of Durham lies Ushaw Chapel, House & Gardens which with more than 20 acres of formal gardens is a gem to visit. Expect the unexpected at Ushaw as you lose yourself in the lovely grounds, where you’ll find playful surprises, inspirational art, wildlife carvings amongst the woodland trails, wide-open spaces and vibrant floral gardens. As well as the gardens and parkland you will discover a long and rich history amongst the Victorian Gothic architecture of the house and chapel which is tied to the development and growth of Christianity in the region and that began over a millennium ago with St Aiden in Lindisfarne. You will encounter the most beautiful buildings and find yourself marvelling at centuries of art and heritage. 

Whilst in Durham and for a very different type of garden experience visit Eggleston Hall Gardens & Nursery which is described as ‘the secret garden of the north’. There have been gardens at Eggleston Hall since the late 16th century and it is very much a nursery garden that is both peaceful and relaxing with an unhurried atmosphere and a place that they dub as a ‘jewel amongst the hills’.

Eggleston Hall gardens are a bit of a plantsman`s paradise and are in no way a formal garden but are a wonderful place to visit where you can enjoy the garden trail and then pick up some new plants to take back home with you.

alt="pink and purple flowers in a deep border at Eggleston gardens"

A short 15 minute drive away from Eggleston takes you to The Bowes Museum near Barnard Castle, a superb destination which is a cultural gem that combines art, history and architecture with gorgeous gardens and although on a much bigger and grander scale is a superb place to visit and a day out that is always well enjoyed by our guests. The garden design at The Bowes Museum is in a renaissance revival style and you will find a grand terrace and parterre which then give way to less formal grassy mounds, winding paths and mature shrubs and woodland which are maintained as a public park. There are almost 20 acres of garden to enjoy alongside the wonderful chateau and more information on visiting can be found here.

alt="Front view of The Bowes Museum with blue skies and formal garden to the front"
Image credit – The Bowes Museum
alt="Lowther gardens and castle ruins and pathways and green planting"

Lowther Castle & Gardens are a great day out and one of our own favourite places to visit. Located near Penrith in Cumbria the 130 acre site comprises of castle ruins, extensive gardens, woodlands and ponds, and sits in the Lake District National Park, enjoying far-reaching views over the Lowther valley. The castle and grounds have a wonderful story to tell and in 2008, after many years of neglect, there began a 20 year plan to bring the gardens back to life. You will find ancient borders jostling with modern design with weird and wonderful summerhouses, roman pillars, rose and iris gardens, a lovely parterre, wild flowers, clipped yews and the unique garden-in-the-ruins. For more information on Lowther Castle and details on visiting these gorgeous gardens please go to their website.

Whatever type of garden you enjoy and whatever time of year you visit the North East of England you will find some of the loveliest gardens scattered across Northumberland and the whole of the north east region and all offering a very different and wonderful garden experience.

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