Northumberland: gardens, nurseries and local help
England's most northerly county has the region's greatest gardens, a string of specialist nurseries and some of its toughest growing conditions, from salt-blasted coast to upland valleys.
Gardening in Northumberland
Coastal gardens from Blyth to Berwick face salt wind, and much of the coast is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where some planning rules are tighter. Inland, gardens in the Tyne valley and the hills see colder winters and a later spring than Tyneside, so timing matters for new lawns and planting.
The south-east of the county has grown fast, with large new estates around Cramlington, Blyth and the edges of Morpeth and Ponteland. Gardens there often need the full new-build treatment: clearing rubble, breaking up compacted ground and adding topsoil before turf.
For visits, the choice is wide: The Alnwick Garden, Cragside, Wallington, Belsay, Howick, Lindisfarne and more. Specialist nurseries such as Halls of Heddon, Bide-A-Wee Cottage Gardens and Ryal Nursery grow plants you rarely find elsewhere. Northumberland County Council handles garden waste collections.
Morpeth and nearby villages
Morpeth sits on the Wansbeck, with older stone houses near the centre and newer estates around the edges. The town makes a good base for visiting Wallington, Belsay and Bide-A-Wee Cottage Gardens at Netherwitton, and the River Wansbeck walks run right through it.
Gardens to visit
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The Alnwick Garden
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Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
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Wallington
Known for its walled garden.
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Cragside
Rock garden and wider estate.
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Seaton Delaval Hall
A garden close to the coast.
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Lindisfarne Castle garden
A walled garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll.
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Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum
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Dilston Physic Garden
A garden of medicinal and herbal plants.
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Kirkley Hall Gardens
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National Garden Scheme
Private gardens that open on set days for charity.
Parks, beaches and outdoors
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Kielder Water and Forest Park
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Druridge Bay Country Park
Nurseries, trees and design
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Halls of Heddon
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Bide-A-Wee Cottage Gardens
Holds a National Collection of centaureas.
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Ryal Nursery
Wildlife, community and allotments
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Northumberland Wildlife Trust
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Northumbrian Hedgehog Rescue Trust
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Newcastle and District Beekeepers Association
Across the region
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Eves and Lewis Landscape Design
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Groundwork North East and Cumbria
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North East Family Fun
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Living North
