Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is a castle and stately home in Alnwick, Northumberland, England.

Alnwick Garden

Adjacent to the castle, the present Duchess of Northumberland, Jane, has established the Alnwick Garden, a formal garden set around a cascading fountain. It is the most ambitious new garden created in the United Kingdom since the Second World War, with a reported development cost for the whole of £42 million pounds (press release of 7 August 2003). The garden belongs to a charitable trust which is separate from the Northumberland Estates, but the Duke of Northumberland donated the 42 acre (170,000 m²) site and £9 million. By 2004 it was the third most visited paid entry garden in the UK after (Kew Gardens and Wisley), with over half a million visitors. As of 2005 several elements of the garden remain to be developed.

Related Topics:
Fountain - Second World War - 7 August - 2003 - Kew Gardens - Wisley

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The first phase of development, opened in October 2001, involved the creation of the fountain and initial planting of the gardens. In 2004 a large 'tree house' complex, including a cafe, was opened. In February 2005, a poison garden, growing plants such as cannabis and opium poppy, was added.

Related Topics:
Poison - Cannabis - Opium poppy

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The purpose of the garden is to augment the facilities available on the Alnwick Castle site for tourists and educational visitors.

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