Gardens of Northumberland

We depart mid-morning by train from London Kings Cross (regional rail connections, first-class up-grades and/or overnight accommodation in London before or after the tour available on request) to Newcastle, where on arrival, we will be met by our comfortable coach.
We then travel to Belsay Hall, a classical brown stone mansion, built in the 19th Century in Greek revival style to the design of its owner, Sir Charles Monck. The hall was built from rock carved from Belsay's very own quarry, which was later transformed into an exciting and dramatic garden – creepers twist up sheer rockfaces while, thanks to its own microclimate, rare trees grow in the meadows in the ravines.
We continue to our comfortable four-star accommodation at the Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County, conveniently situated on the banks of the River Wear within walking distance of the city centre. The hotel was developed from a series of Jacobean town houses once owned by the Bowes-Lyon family. All air-conditioned rooms are en-suite with telephone, TV, trouser press, minibar and tea/coffee-making facilities. The hotel has full leisure facilities including a swimming pool, sauna, steam room Jacuzzi and a gymnasium.
Dinner is served in the evening.

Following breakfast we travel through the wild and rugged landscape of north Northumberland, almost as far as the Scottish border, for our visit to Mindrum. This a large and generous garden cascading down a hillside, where paths wind round sunlit borders, through a shady woodland and down to a clear stream. Colours are soft and subtle and the garden is rich in roses, scented plants, wild flowers and remarkable trees.
We then transfer to the new garden created by the former owner of Mindrum a few years ago at Kirky Cottage. This is a gravel garden in cottage garden style, with her favourite plants from Mindrum and many others, which have matured beautifully. It is an abundant garden, full of interesting plants. A light lunch is included on arrival here.
We then return to our hotel in Durham with some free time to explore this historic little city, dominated by the Castle and Cathedral, before dinner is served at our hotel in the evening.

After breakfast we will travel to Alnwick for a visit to the Alnwick Garden, one of the world’s most ambitious new gardens. The Duchess of Northumberland’s vision for a forgotten plot is now a truly 21st century experience full of imagination, inspiration and fun. Designed by Jacques and Peter Wirtz, The Garden is a wonderful combination of spaces, themes, quirkiness and play. From the tranquillity of the Cherry Orchard, the excitement of the Grand Cascade and the mysteries of the Bamboo Labyrinth, to the Serpent Garden’s spell-binding water sculptures, the intrigue of the Poison Garden and one of the world’s largest tree houses – there is plenty to surprise and delight. The Garden is a space designed to be enjoyed by all your senses, with a collection of over 4,000 plant varieties to discover and thousands of seasonal blooms. Lunch is available here (not included).
Our second visit today is to the garden at the Manor House. Here in Whalton, one of Northumberland’s prettiest villages, we find a charming English country house garden with a history which features a contribution from the dream team of garden design, Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens. Herbaceous borders and beautiful plantings of mature shrub roses, peonies, wisteria and clematis are key characters in a garden framed by the most elegant architectural features.
Dinner will be served back at our hotel in the evening.

Following breakfast we travel to the Northumberland / Durham border at the upper end of the Derwent Valley to Blanchland, which has been described as a ‘perfect English village’. Here we visit Newbiggin House, a 5-acre landscaped garden at 1000ft started in 1996 by Daphne Scott-Harden which has matured beautifully. We can see old-fashioned herbaceous borders, peonies, shrubs, roses, a bog and wild garden including a wild rose walk.  There are also magnificent collections of unusual trees and shrubs.
Following this, our final visit, we return to Newcastle railway station for our mid-afternoon train back to London Kings Cross, where the group will disperse or make onward connections.