Alnwick Garden is a delight for garden lovers of all ages and levels of experience. It would impossible not to have a wonderful day out here.

The gardens have been well designed with something for everyone.  Gardeners will enjoy the great displays of immaculate flowers especially in the Ornamental and Rose Gardens.  

There are lots of things to keep the children occupied. They can search for the Giant's belongings left around the garden and eventually find the giant himself resting in the lake. 

They can run through the bamboo maze, enjoy the water fountains in the Serpent Garden and rest on the swings in the Cherry Orchard.

The original gardens were designed for the 1st Duke of Northumberland by Capability Brown. At their height, the gardens had many hot houses full of exotic plants and fruits, an Italianate Garden and avenues of lime trees.  

After many years of neglect and decline, in 1997, the huge task of redeveloping the gardens began.  The new garden design of Peter and Jacques Wirtz is believed to be one of best new gardens created in Britain since the WWII.

The entrance brings visitors onto the main lawn and to the base of the Grand Cascade, a wonderful water feature built on two listed earth banks dating from the 1850s.  Water continuously tumbles down the cascade via a series of weirs and water jets send water high into the sky at regular intervals throughout the day.

At the top of the cascade is the Ornamental Garden. A walled, semi formal garden that is particularly lovely in summer.  The garden has a raised pond in the centre and small round ponds at either end connected by rills.  

The beds are full of colour, tall stands of blue Delphinium, pink and white Peonies, blue Salvias and white Philadelphus.  

Growing around the wooden posts and pergola are many wonderful old fashioned climbing roses, some perfumed, in pinks and whites.

From the Ornamental Garden visitors can descend directly to the Main Lawn by steps on either side of the Cascade or through a tunnel of Hornbeam trees. 

There is still so much of the garden to explore an it is worth taking one of the winding paths right to towards the Cherry Orchard or left towards the Rose Garden.

The cherry orchard is the largest of its kind in the world and with 300 Prunus serrulata ‘Yai Haku’ trees and is at it's prettiest in spring with all  white blossom .  To the side of the orchard a park with lots of swing seats has been created - a perfect spot to play/relax for young and old alike. 

Continue on the path towards the garden pond and bathing giant - as you pass the pond look in the trees for some very large pieces of underwear drying in the trees!

At the bottom of the Cascade is the Poison Garden, it contains a selection of poisonous plants some that could kill and others that will make you feel very ill.  Garden can only be entered with a guide. They are very knowledgeable and it is well worth a visit.

To the other side of the Cascade is Serpent Garden, with tall hedges and wiggly paths leading to many different water features, all quite different and to be enjoyed everyone.

On your way to the Rose Garden you have the opportunity to enter the bamboo maze, the tall bamboo stems create a tunnel which the children love to run around.

The Rose Garden is packed with so many different species and hybrid roses. In summer it is full colour and perfume.  

Walk up to the gate in the Rose Garden and the birds start singing, part of this wonderfully whimsical gate.

When you feel like a rest the restaurant at the entrance has a large selection of sandwiches, cakes, ice creams, hot and cold drinks.

For those wanting a more substantial meal there is a restaurant in the Treehouse.  

This review provides a taster of what's on offer at this, the newest great garden attraction in the UK - and amongst the best of any age.

If you find yourself in the north east of England then it's well worth making a visit - then go on to Bamburg/Seahouses and visit the Puffins on the Farne Islands - not to be missed.