Reviews of Alnwick Garden

amazing garden, if I ever make it to england I will certainly visit. If the duches is ever visiting california, please come and see my my garden, recently posted on this site, it's called the wave garden. 3 years to complete and opprox. 13,000 sq. ft. in size. Overlooking the san francisco bay, it's a true masterpiece.

(5.0/5)

I visited at the end of March and arrived just after the garden opened. At that point you could clearly see the bone structure and I felt that if the pavilion which formed the cafe and shop were removed the wider landscape would enhance the garden. Radical maybe but what was on offer in both the cafe and shop would not be missed. As more people arrived I wondered if I had landed in a soup bowl and later was happier in the Northumbrian countryside. Advise get there early and leave quickly.

(2.0/5)

I visited the Alnwick Garden for the first time shortly after completion of the water cascade and similarly to the previous correspondents, hoped it would improve (i.e. soften) with time. The rest of the garden was just being developed so I wouldn't want to comment.
I returned with my partner last bank holiday weekend and my overriding impression was one of neglect and poor management. I must say, we left feeling upset at having paid £10 for the privilege of admiring roses that were rotting and uncared for as well as overgrown herbaceous borders and a cherry orchard half eaten away and clearly not maintained.
How sad that the hype of what should be a beautiful space and resource for the North East has become an expensive destination for families needing some where to take the kids. Actually, children provided by far the most positive aspect of the visit as they were clearly thrilled by the water cascade which occasionally soaked them and their shrieks and laughter were gorgeous to hear.
Sadly the cascade is as bare as ever and the yellow stone which frames it is too reminiscent of stone cladding a la 1989 to be part of what was apparently envisioned as a world class garden.
In summary, great for children and families (the bamboo maze is fun) but not in my view a garden to inspire. If you are visiting, do the poor (many and beautiful varieties notwithstanding) roses a favour and take your secateurs.

(2.0/5)

Such grand designs and expectations and yet ...in such a mean space, wholly undersized for what has been built.
As the summary comments 'the scale is not well judged - it is too small to be awe-inspiring and too-large to be charming' One visits with much anticipation of viewing a grand scheme and in a way it is ! But something about it is wrong. You see lots of walling around the water cascade and the fountains are both vertical and semi horizontal so they sort of argue visually. Basically there is a lot of great stuff but squashed into too smaller space to make it elegant. Beyond the top of the Cascade is a pleasant arrangement of beds with roses, herbaceous and water features in the second walled garden, but it is still too intense..they should check out Mottisfont walled garden-it seems to be more restful and.... English.
It is a shame to knock the place and what has been done..it is all very exciting and grand ,but in too smaller space so it ends up being ungrand.

(4.0/5)