Northumberland

Alnwick Castle » <p>A castle, founded by the Normans (c 1096) and later made into a stately home, with a serpentine park and a Victorian garden. The park was designed by Lancelot Brown c1760. He smoothed the bank which flows from the ramparts to the River Aln, carried out extensive tree planting and created a picturesque scene, with a bridge by Robert Adam. The 'Italian' garden was made in the nineteenth century and is being restored. The old vegetable garden has been made into a modern garden designed by Jacques Wirtz. It has a major water feature in the form of a cascade with electronically controlled fountains.</p> <p>In 1886 George Tate wrote that "Naked and bleak was the country around <span class="gstx..... Read more on Alnwick Castle

Cragside House, Garden and Grounds » A great Victorian house and garden, built by a wealthy engineer, Lord Armstrong. The house was designed by Norman Shaw, in 1870 , and is well named. It overlooks the Debdon Valley and is surrounded by rocks and woods. The garden is being restored by the National Trust. There are rock gardens, a rustic bridge, a Clock Tower and a walled garden with terraces, grotttoes, a canal and 40 miles of footpaths. The scenery is picturesque. Read more on Cragside House, Garden and Grounds

Howick Hall Gardens » A grand eighteenth century house with terrace and woodland gardens. It is based on the transition idea, running from terrace to lawn to woodland garden. The latter is planted with rhododendrons and other acidic shrubs. Howick was the family seat of the Grey family until 1973. The second Earl Grey (2nd) became Prime Minister and introduced important electoral reforms in 1832. Earl Grey tea is named after him. Read more on Howick Hall Gardens