A Child's Eye View of Alnwick
Our roving reporter - aged 12 - tells you about his favourite parts of The Alnwick Garden. It's fun for all ages!
By The Alnwick Garden
Robin - a gardens expert
The Taihaku Cherry Orchard
Planted with 329 Taihaku cherry trees, this is the largest cherry orchard of its kind in the world. The entire orchard is under-planted with pink tulips, creating a magical environment during the Spring.
Monkeys!
The fox sculpture at the centre of The Rose Garden was made originally for Painshill Park in Surrey, c.1750 and was bought by the present Duke's father.
In the tree there are six hanging monkeys, made by a look-a-like of Jaws, the famous Bond villain.
The Bamboo Labrynth
"Only dead fish swim with the stream"
Designed by maze-maker Adrian Fisher and set in a windy area of The Garden, The Bamboo Labrynth sways and rustles above the brick paths that wander between its green walls, confusing and perplexing the visitor.
The Forgotten Garden Adventure Golf
Found outside the walls of The Alnwick Garden, The Forgotten Garden Adventure golf is 13 holes of twists and turns, bumps and lumps and some hidden surprises on the way.
The Grand CascadeThe Alnwick Garden
The Grand Cascade
This incredible cascade has:- 21 weirs to keep the water flowing
- 120 water jets that create the display
- 250,000 gallons of water circulate through the entire system
- 850 hornbeam trees that are planted around the perimiter
it even lights up at night!
The Grand CascadeThe Alnwick Garden
A feat of engineering
Pumps, filters and treatment systems are all housed in two vast plant rooms beneath The Cascade, together with reservoirs which also supply the water for the pools, ponds and water sculptures in adjoining features, with all water recycled and reused.
The Grand CascadeThe Alnwick Garden
Splish Splash
The half-hourly water display uses 120 water jets which propel spouts of water over the ain terrace that straddles The Cascade and into the Lower Basin, the pool at the bottom of The Cascade, which in turn activates a water display simulating a volcanic eruption
The Grand CascadeThe Alnwick Garden
Construction
The water feature is almost wholly constructed in the local Northumbrian sandstone, except for the internal wall facings, which are made of coloured and moulded concrete to protect against wear from the water.
The main lawnThe Alnwick Garden
Space!
The first garden on the site was begun in 1750 by Hugh Percy, who became the first Duke of Northumberland in 1766. The boundary walls, enclosing a 12-acre enclosure that is the present garden, were built from 1777 using bricks transported to Alnwick as ship-ballast.
