Overview

The impressive cascading fountain is the first thing you see as you enter Alnwick Gardens. Not only a place for the green-fingered to visit - although there are hundreds of plants and flowers to see. Children have lots of fun daring each other to run under the splashing fountain, playing in the interactive water garden and, for the younger ones, there are toy tractors to ride. There are lots of different areas to explore, including the swings in the blossom garden, the walled garden and you can have an interesting tour of the poison garden (dangerous stuff!) The tree-house restaurant can be visited while there, or separately, and the smaller 'potting shed' (also a tree house) is good for lunch or a snack.

Transport & Parking

There is a train station and local buses in Alnwick. Alnwick Gardens was well organised for disabled visitors arriving by car. There is a whole car-park dedicated to 'blue badge' holders and this is the closest to the main entrance.

Access

Consideration has definitely been given to the needs of different people. Although the garden does have steps, there are alternative routes which are ramped/flat paths. They even have a map of the garden available which shows the accessible routes. Wheelchairs and scooters can be borrowed there, though they advise booking ahead. All the main paths are wide and either paved or gravelled (but not thick gravel, so you can wheel through easily) There are seats places regularly throughout all areas of the gardens if you need a rest, or just want to enjoy the views. The tree-house is accessed by a long gradual ramp. Although we didn't try it with a wheelchair, their website says even their wobbily bridge walkway (which is optional to use) at the treehouses, are wheelchair and pushchair accessible. They have solid planks of wood across the bottom of the walkway so do seem quite substantial, the whole thing does sway a little, and you are at tree height; good fun and only a wee bit scary for some!

Toilets

There were accessible toilets at several places throughout the gardens. These seemed well looked after.

Staff

I didn't have much need to speak to staff, but those I did were friendly and seemed knowledgeable.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

It is a lovely place to visit, but isn't the cheapest day out and we thought the cost of the food in the pavillion was a little pricey. If taking a family I'd certainly consider making a picnic. If planning on going more than once in a year, it's worth becoming a 'friend' - to become one you pay the equivalent to two entry tickets, but you can visit as many times as you want in a year. They have special events on including at Halloween and Christmas and lots of seasonal activities, see info on their website. We particularly liked seeing the Giants! Just new this year, they seem to have scattered various belongings across the Gardens which are fun to spot. The giant having a bath made everyone laugh!

Photos