The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
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I visited The Alnwick Garden today. It’s billed as one of the most exciting contemporary gardens developed in the 20th century, a magical landscape created from unique ideas. I was disappointed by the gardens, it wasn’t very large and I didn’t observe much that was unique. It’s £8 for an adult to enter and I don’t think it’s good value for money.
The Garden has received a lot of public subsidy for what to me seems like the expensive fulfilment of an aristocrat’s not particularly inspirational or imaginative dream.
I grant that the grand cascade is pretty impressive with its different displays every 30 minutes. However in my opinion the stone used in the construction looks very new and does not blend in with the surrounding landscape, it reminds me of a new housing estate plonked in former countryside.
The rose garden is pretty but not original. It reminded me of Italian style gardens. The Ornamental Garden had some beautiful large delphiniums. It is acknowledged as being strongly influenced by European garden design. Although on a smaller scale the garden at the local public park where I lived in Kirkcaldy in east central Scotland, was as striking (and free to enter).
The Poison Garden does have some novelty value. You can only enter this as part of a guided tour and the commentary is interesting and entertaining.
Would I recommend the Garden for a day out, not really. I reckon that a couple of hours is more than enough time for a visit. I have to admit that I am comparing the £8 admission fee to the £65 I pay annually to the National Trust for Scotland which offers entry to 300 properties through the UK. If you do plan to visit the garden more than twice you can purchase an annual ticket for £20. Also I know nothing about gardening and perhaps the Garden is a delight to knowledgeable gardening enthusiasts.
I had lunch at the Tree House Restaurant at the Garden and have written a review.
Have you visited the Garden, how would you rate it?
