Fun fact:

As a school girl based in Alnwick, Northumberland, and sometime around the late 1990’s we were assigned a school project, to put forward designs for a new garden project the Duchess of Northumberland was working on. I remember submitting an adventure play area designed as a lion’s head (the Lion being the Alnwick crest!)

Twenty-five years later, I’m still rather disappointed that it didn’t make the cut, I am excited to visit the new Lilidorei though and humbled to know that as an organisation they are still offering local school children’s opportunities to be involved.

I still remember the site visit, where we got to see the derelict walled gardens, neglected and unloved and all these years later, the Alnwick Garden is testament to one woman’s dream of making such a fabulous place for all to enjoy.

As a teenager I then worked at the Alnwick Garden for a couple of summers and remember the cherry orchard being created, the diggers, the soil, the planting, so to eventually enjoy meandering around the cherry orchard 20 years later is truly a beautiful sight.

Largest Taihaku Cherry Orchard in the world

The Alnwick Garden doesn’t just have a cherry tree orchard, it is home to the largest Taihaku Cherry Orchard in the world! Bridal white cherry blossom adorning its trees and swaying gently in the breeze. The window to catch this blossom orchard in all its glory can be short and hugely weather dependent, however you can try and plan your trip around their very helpful blossom cam via their website.

A live link to the cherry orchard gives an accurate account of how far away the orchard is from being in full bloom, so you can more accurately plan to visit at the right time!

We enjoyed our very first visit last Spring and we were blown away! The weather was fantastic and the gentle breeze meant we could dance in the snowy white blossom along the meandering down hill path.

Sit and enjoy the bloom in all its splendour

The cherry orchard is a tranquil and beautiful place so whatever time you have, we’d highly recommend taking a seat on one of the swings under the blossom and breathing in the sweet scent of Spring, take a moment to enjoy its serenity and the hear and now.

Why not enjoy a twilight tour

If you’d like the ultimate experience, book into one of their twilight tours where the gardens will be quieter for some true moments of reflection.

What else is there to enjoy?

Whilst the Tiahaku orchard might be your main reason for visiting in April, there is so much more to see in the garden.

Their ‘what’s in bloom’ page offers some fantastic guidance on what else to see on your visit and also help you plan another visit, perhaps over the summer take your senses through the aromatic rose garden!

With adventure golf, the poison garden, the cascade, the walled garden, the Treehouse and the all new Lilidorei set to open this Spring, (the largest outdoor play structure in the world!) we think you’ll struggle to fit it all in in one visit!