Howick Hall Gardens


Just a few miles from the sea on the Northumberland Coast AONB you will find Howick Hall Gardens, one of Northumberland’s finest gardens.
It is on our list of places to visit! Let us tell you why.


The Gardens
Howick was the home of the Grey family from 1319 until the death of the 5th Earl Grey in 1963.
The Estate then passed to his eldest daughter, Lady Mary Howick, and through her to her son the present Lord Howick of Glendale, grandson of the 5th Earl Grey.
The Hall (not open to the public), built in 1782, is surrounded by formal gardens that is open to the public.
It includes a Bog Garden, a Rockery and a stunning Woodland Garden which is supposed to be one of the highlights.
These fabulous gardens, chiefly created by the 5th Early Grey, are in their turn surrounded by an arboretum covering some 65 acres.
More then 11,000 trees and shrubs were planted in the arboretum by the current Lord Howick.
Earl Grey Tea
Howick is also the home of Earl Grey tea!
The tea was specially blended for Charles, 2nd Earl Grey. It was created to suit the water from the well at Howick. Using bergamot in particular to counterbalance the taste of the lime in it.
Earl Grey tea, home made produce, snacks and light lunches are served in The Earl Grey Tea House situated in the East Quadrant of Howick Hall.


Walking
From the Woodland Garden a path called the Long Walk takes a meandering route to the sea.
It roughly follows the Howick Burn for the 1,5-mile stroll to Sugar Sands, one of the finest bays in Northumberland.
When visiting the Northumberland Coast AONB we walked from Craster to Howick Hall Gardens and back again.
Regrettably, without visiting the gardens. But hopefully we will be able to do so next time we visit the Northumberland Coast.
This exhilarating 6-mile circular starts in Craster and takes in Cullernose Point while following the Northumberland Coast Path.
The views along the way are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.
Do make sure you have enough time to visit Howick Hall Gardens!
Cool Places to Explore: Dunstanburgh Castle | Alnwick Castle | Holy Island of Lindisfarne | Bamburgh Castle | Farne Islands Nature Reserve | Warkworth Castle | Alnmouth | Cragside.
Cool Places to Eat: The Earl Grey Teahouse | The Jolly Fisherman Inn.