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.
Additional images © Margaret Whittaker

  • 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.

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