Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum — Attraction in Longhoughton

Have given 5 stars based on gardens which are extensive and full of most unusual specimens. Lots of footpaths around estate and 3.5 hours not enough time to walk around estate. Sensory garden good...Church well worth finding as gives history about previous lady of house. Also Charles Grey prime ministers tomb here. Don't miss interpretation centre..no sign to it but is through front door of house and has good info boards..large map and two rooms where can relax and read books and enjoy splendour of house Through two rooms and couple of corridors. Tearoom worth a visit as serves Earl Grey tea...varying home made cakes and open till 18.00 hours. However northumberland cackle biscuits as described on info Internet page not evident and none of staff knew what they were!! Two enormous severe paintings in tearoom demonstrate original room part of house. Think one was Daniel in lions den..no idea or guess on other one. Gift shop inside tearoom just articles on shelves and table... Cake and Earl Grey acceptable. Make sure get map of gardens as there is a route of interest with marked points however we were not offered one at entrance kiosk.... No picnics or dogs allowed in grounds however picnic tables are available in car park. The one strange fact remains however despite discovering Earl Grey tea there is no mention of it that I could find on any info board...... Gardens will be going back to..to...

Ticket Office Hut is at the far end of the car park. Price just £18 for us both as oaps. Over the road, thru gate and either straight ahead for the Visitor Centre, Tea Room & Toilets or turn right as we did to head straight to the Bog Garden - which was splendid, such lovely tall planting. We then walked around to the Wild Origin Garden with its lovely arbour & stone sculpture. Next the Sensory Garden, which was superb, not only the planting but we could see how useful all the additions were to provide sensory stimulus for both children & adults. Using the map we walked thru the woods, down to the stream and up to the fairly new Hydrangea Garden - some established but also lots of new plants going in. Back down the hill, over the stream and up to the ornamental borders at the back of Howick Hall & Tea Rooms. The borders were all beautiful. Leave energy for the walk back around to front of the Hall, there is no short cut. We had lunch in the Tea Room, which on a hot day, was lovely & cool inside - nice large room, plenty of seating. Items for sale in cabinets and on tables, dotted around. Lastly called in the Visitor Centre (entrance opposite the large pond). Lovely grand entrance with lots of info on the flora and fauna. 2 large beautifully decorated rooms and hallways to look around, finished off the visit nicely. Will def return in Autumn to see how the plants and trees have changed....

The gardens are gorgeous. An exciting mix of formal (Lady Grey's garden was a highlight) and wild, with many surprising features around hidden corners and lots to miss and discover on return visits.

What almost spoiled things was the guy in admissions who was so officious that he held up a queue of customers for 5 - 10 mins while he emailed and waited for the reply from somebody regarding a reciprocal staff discount with Alnwick Garden. If you're experienced at customer service you know there's a point where you just break and speed things along for the sake of goodwill and to keep things moving. I thought it was a very poor call to hold everybody up. The were complaints among those waiting.

A mark also goes against the Garden for the fact that I had to pay the full cost of admission to redeem an afternoon tea voucher I had been gifted. That seems a little unfair and maybe with better staffing it would be possible to ensure that those visiting for scones don't sneak into the Garden proper!

All that said I really do like Howick Hall Garden. It is a garden for grown-ups, unlike the aforementioned Alnwick Garden and is free of gimmicks. It is packed with historic features and wild natural beauty. Also, the food is really good. If you don't get a cup of Earl Grey here then you're doing...