We are often asked, what is the best way to spend a day at The Alnwick Garden with your children?
To try and help you plan your day and get the most out of your visit, we have created this guide full of helpful information that should answer your questions.
One of the first things families ask us before visiting is where to buy tickets for children’s entry to The Alnwick Garden. We recommend booking directly through our website, where you’ll find the latest admission information, opening times and ticket options before you travel.
To make the most of your day, we’d recommend arriving as close to opening time as possible.
The Alnwick Garden is generally open daily from 10am, with closing times varying throughout the year. During school holidays and peak summer periods, opening hours are often extended, giving families even more time to explore. For example, during the summer holidays, The Garden is open from 10am until 6pm, while many spring and autumn dates operate from 10 am until 5 pm. There are often special ticketed events in the evening, especially around our popular Winter Light Trail and Father Christmas visits, so be sure to check our website and social media channels for full information.
Opening times can change seasonally, so we always recommend checking the latest information on our website before you travel.
We would love you to spend the whole day with us, but if you only have half a day, you can still enjoy many of The Garden’s highlights.
Our advice is to take things at your own pace and focus on the experiences that matter most to your family. If you’re visiting with younger children, you may choose to spend a couple of hours exploring The Bamboo Labyrinth and enjoying the water features in The Serpent Garden. Then, you could head to Lilidorei to visit the elves and fairies and adventure around our giant play structure, Elfwin Drin.
Others might prefer to enjoy a guided tour of the Poison Garden or simply have a wander through the beautiful surroundings of The Cherry Orchard, The Ornamental Garden and The Rose Garden.
A half-day visit is also a great option if you’re planning to explore more of Northumberland during your trip. With so many attractions nearby, many families choose to combine a visit to The Alnwick Garden with another local experience.
Whatever you decide, we’d recommend checking our opening hours and planning your visit so you can make the most of your time with us.
Planning a family visit is simple. When booking online, choose your preferred date and ticket type, then select the number of adults and children in your group.
Families can choose to purchase tickets for The Alnwick Garden or Lilidorei separately, depending on how they would like to spend their day. However, one of the most popular options for families is a combined ticket, which provides great value, access to both attractions and allows visitors to enjoy a full day of adventure.
Many families choose to spend the morning exploring The Alnwick Garden, discovering favourites such as The Sage Wealth Management Grand Cascade, The Bamboo Labyrinth and The Poison Garden, before heading to Lilidorei in the afternoon. Located within the grounds of The Alnwick Garden, Lilidorei is home to the world’s largest play structure, where children can climb, slide, explore and create adventures of their own.
A combined ticket offers the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds. You can experience the beauty and discovery of The Alnwick Garden with the imaginative outdoor play that makes Lilidorei one of the UK’s most unique and popular family attractions.
Families often ask us about ways to save on their visit. We recommend checking our website before booking, as family offers, memberships, and seasonal promotions are available at various times throughout the year. If you’re planning to visit more than once, membership can often offer the best value.
If you’re visiting with children, we’d recommend starting your day at The Sage Wealth Management Grand Cascade. Watching the water displays spring to life is a highlight for many families and a great way to begin your adventure.
From there, younger visitors often love running in and out of the water features in The Serpent Garden (don’t forget to bring your bathers and towel!) and exploring The Bamboo Labyrinth, while older children enjoy discovering the stories of murder and mystery behind The Poison Garden. The Forgotten Garden Adventure Golf is another popular stop for families looking for a little friendly competition.
For families with energetic children, Lilidorei is often one of the highlights of the day. Filled with towers, slides, climbing opportunities and imaginative play spaces, it is designed to encourage creativity, exploration and outdoor adventure. Many families choose to split their day between The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei to enjoy the best of both experiences.
Our advice is simple: don’t rush.
Start your morning exploring The Sage Wealth Management Grand Cascade, where younger children can enjoy riding on a mini-tractor, then allow plenty of time for little explorers to stop, play and discover The Garden as you move through the space. A relaxed lunch break in one of our places to eat and drink helps everyone recharge before spending the afternoon enjoying Adventure Golf, a Poison Garden tour or an extended visit to Lilidorei.
The best family visits are usually the ones that leave room for spontaneity.
Getting to The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei is straightforward, and a little planning before you travel can help your day run even more smoothly.
If you’re travelling by car, The Alnwick Garden is easy to reach from both the north and south via the A1, making it an ideal destination whether you’re visiting from Newcastle, Edinburgh or elsewhere in the North East or further afield. Located just a few minutes from the A1 and well signposted from the main road, it’s simple to find and perfect for a family day out or a stop as part of a Northumberland adventure. Take the slip road to the B1340 in either direction.
The car park is located off Denwick Lane (B1340), with plenty of parking available close to the entrance. Accessible parking spaces are also available for Blue Badge holders, helping families start their visit with ease. You can find more information on parking at The Alnwick Garden in our FAQ section on our website.
If you’re travelling by public transport, Alnwick Bus Station is just a short walk from The Alnwick Garden, with regular bus services connecting the town to Newcastle and destinations across Northumberland. If you’re arriving by train, the nearest station is Alnmouth, where you can continue your journey to Alnwick by bus or taxi in around 15 minutes.
Whichever way you choose to travel, we’d recommend allowing a little extra time if you’re visiting with young children.
If you’re visiting with babies or toddlers, we recommend bringing your own pushchair or child carrier so you can explore The Garden at a pace that suits your family. The Alnwick Garden is pushchair-friendly, with wide, step-free pathways through much of The Garden, making it easy to navigate with little ones. You’ll also find plenty of places throughout The Garden to stop, rest and enjoy the surroundings whenever little legs need a break.
We want everyone to enjoy their visit to The Alnwick Garden, and we’ve worked hard to make The Garden as accessible as possible. Our commitment has been recognised with a Gold Award for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism at the North East England Tourism Awards, alongside a Gold Green Tourism Award in recognition of our commitment to sustainability.
Many of the main pathways are wide, making them suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs, so visitors can explore The Garden with confidence. Accessible parking spaces are available close to the entrance for Blue Badge holders, and wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired in advance, subject to availability.
We’re also proud to have a Changing Places toilet, providing a safe, accessible and dignified facility for visitors with complex disabilities and their carers. Baby changing facilities are also available on site, helping families with young children enjoy a comfortable visit.
To help you plan your visit, our Useful Information page includes an accessibility route map, highlighting accessible routes and key facilities across The Garden before you arrive.
Every visitor’s needs are different, so if there’s anything you’d like to ask before your visit, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and help you plan a day that’s right for you and your family.
We might be slightly biased, but if you’re planning a visit to Northumberland, The Alnwick Garden should be top of your ‘to do’ list for a visit with children!
Whether your family enjoys exploring nature, discovering fascinating stories, playing outdoors, or simply spending quality time together, there’s something here for every age. From The Sage Wealth Management Grand Cascade to The Bamboo Labyrinth, The Poison Garden and Lilidorei, every visit offers a chance to create lasting family memories.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
