It has been 20 years since the first visitors
entered the gates of The Alnwick Garden.

This year we want to celebrate all the reasons why your visits have made the last 20 years so great! We are not just The Alnwick Garden, we are your Alnwick Garden.

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Our Story

1996
I’ve had an idea…

Unlike most other ideas, this one was to create The Alnwick Garden and being a lady of her word, Her Grace The Duchess of Northumberland stuck to it and began development of the site that you see in front of you today.

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1997/1998
Wirtz it all about?

Garden Designers, Wirtz International are commissioned to interpret the Duchess’s vision for the design of The Garden.

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2001 October
Open for Business

Phase One opened to the public 1st October. Phase One of The Garden is completed consisting of:

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2002 September
A Royal Visit

Phase One of The Alnwick Garden is officially opened to the public by HRH The Prince of Wales.

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2003 January
A visit from Charlie

Charlie Dimmock and The Duchess “ BBC programme goes on air to show filming of the construction for Phase One of development at The Alnwick Garden.

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2003 November
It’s like a Treehouse – just bigger

Construction begins on Phase Two The Treehouse at The Alnwick Garden and the three themed gardens:

The Poison Garden – an educational garden full of intrigue, containing some of the most deadly plants in the world

The Serpent Garden – an interactive water garden containing water sculptures which show a different aspect of water and how it can be made to look and move

The Labyrinth – a one-way bamboo maze designed to form an ingenious challenge.

The Car and Coach Park – new parking facilities to cope with extra visitors.

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2004 November
Don’t step on the grass

Home Office approval is granted to The Alnwick Garden Trust to grow ‘Cannabis’ plants for educational purposes.

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2005 January
Poisons, Play and Puzzles

Phase Two Opens – The Treehouse the Poison Garden, Labyrinth and Serpent Garden.

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2008 February
Blooming Lovely

Cherry Orchard with 326 Tai Haku Cherry Trees arrive to be planted – the largest of its kind outside of Japan.

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2011 June
A Garden Party to remember

HRH Queen Elizabeth and HRH Prince Phillip visit for a carers garden party.

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2012 November
Sparkle and Shine

Sparkle lighting was installed around the Cascade and opened to the public by The Duchess of Northumberland.

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2016 August
A Great Gate

The Duchess’ Gates installed at the Rose Garden. 27th August.

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2017 July
Play a round

Forgotten Garden Golf Launched.

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2018 February
Battling the Beast

Beast from The East hits closing many places in the UK down with snow. Our wedding managed to go ahead, and the imagery went viral with over 6million people seeing the Treehouse in the snow.

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2019 March
Another world’s first

Lilidorei received £5m funding from the Borderlands Growth Initiative from Central Government. 13th March.

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