Our History
and Awards

History

Created by the Duchess of Northumberland, The Alnwick Garden is a delight; a modern garden combining sculpture, water features, and beautiful plants to create a wonderful family attraction. The Garden features the largest collection of European plants in the UK and the largest Japanese Cherry Orchard in the World.

  • 1996

    I’ve had an idea

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    I’ve had an idea

    The Duchess of Northumberland decides to create The Alnwick Garden

  • 2000

    Construction Begins

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    Construction Begins

    1997/1998 – Garden Designers, Wirtz International are commissioned to interpret the Duchess’s vision for the design of The Garden.

    2000 – Construction work begins on site.

  • 2001

    Phase 1 of The Alnwick Garden Opens

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    Phase 1 of The Alnwick Garden Opens

    Phase 1 of The Alnwick Garden opens consisting of:

    Grand Cascade

    Rose Garden

    Ornamental Garden

    Woodland Walk

  • 2003

    The Alnwick Garden Trust

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    The Alnwick Garden Trust

    The Alnwick Garden Trust formalised as an independent charity to ensure the project works for the benefit of the North East.

  • 2003

    Construction on Phase 2 Begins

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    Construction on Phase 2 Begins

    Construction work of Phase 2 of The Alnwick Garden begins.

  • 2005

    Phase 2 of The Alnwick Garden Opens

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    Phase 2 of The Alnwick Garden Opens

    Phase 2 of The Alnwick Garden opens consisting of:

    The Treehouse

    The Poison Garden

    The Bamboo Labyrinth

    The Serpent Garden

  • 2006

    The Pavilion and Visitor Centre Opens

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    The Pavilion and Visitor Centre Opens

    The Pavilion and Visitor Centre designed by Sir Michael Hopkins opens to the public.

  • 2008

    The Cherry Orchard

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    The Cherry Orchard

    The Cherry Orchard containing 326 Taihaku cherry trees planted and opens to the public.

  • 2011

    Roots and Shoots Garden Opens

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    Roots and Shoots Garden Opens

    The Roots and Shoots Garden opens to the public.

  • 2012

    Sparkle Lightening Installed

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    Sparkle Lightening Installed

    Sparkle lightening was installed around The Grand Cascade.

  • 2015

    The Duchess’s Gates Installed

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    The Duchess’s Gates Installed

    The Duchess’s Gates designed by Stephen Lunn installed in The Rose Garden

  • 2016

    Elderberries Room Opens

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    Elderberries Room Opens

    The Stuart Halbert Elderberries Room opens which houses the Elderberries Drop In and other Elderberries Events.

  • 2017

    The Forgotten Garden Adventure Golf Opens

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    The Forgotten Garden Adventure Golf Opens

    The Forgotten Garden Adventure Golf opens to the public.

  • 2018

    Swings in The Cherry Orchard

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    Swings in The Cherry Orchard

    50 swings were added to The Cherry Orchard for you to relax and enjoy. 

  • 2023

    Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden Opens

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    Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden Opens

    There are 9 invisible clans who live at Lilidorei and they spend 11 months of the year preparing for the biggest event in the Lilidorei calendar – Christmas! 

Slide back in time…

Use the slider below and see how the garden has changed over the years

Awards

  • 2022

    Large Visitor Attraction of The Year Gold

  • 2024

    Accessible and Inclusive Tourism

  • 2022

    Experience of The Year

  • 2022

    Resilience and Innovation Award

  • 2022

    VisitEngland Gold Accolade

    Gold Accolade 2020-2021

  • 2020

    Discover our Land

  • 2019

    Loo of The Year

  • 2019

    TripAdvisor Hall of Fame

    Trip advisor 5 year Hall of Fame