GW holiday: Discover the gardens of Northumberland

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Saturday, 11 October 2025 at 9:00 am

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Sorry, this tour has now sold out.

Join this BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine exclusive tour, travelling to the spectacular northernmost county in England, Northumberland. Its spectacular coastline, which is dotted with castles among rugged countryside, is home to an array of wonderful gardens and nurseries.

This fascinating tour explores the county’s most beautiful and varied gardens, with a highlight visit to Alnwick Castle and Garden for an after-hours private guided tour and dinner in the pavilion. You will be staying in the Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel, an impressive four-star country house hotel set in 450 acres near Morpeth, ideally located for the tour.

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Tour dates: 25-29 May 2026 Price: From £1,645pp* SOLD OUT Or call to book, quoting code GWNDOCT25 on 020 7553 6945 PLEASE NOTE: This tour has been graded as moderate, involving a large amount of walking, with little or no access to assistance. Please bear this in mind when booking.

Your holiday includes

Four nights’ B&B, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
Welcome drinks reception
First night private three-course dinner with wine
Special private evening visit and dinner with wine at Alnwick Garden
Two further dinners with wine at the hotel
Three lunches
All guided tours, visits and entrance fees
Accompanied by expert plantsman David Hurrion
Coach transfers and touring
Tour manager throughout

Garden Highlights

Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum, and Alnwick Castle
Whalton Manor and Belsay Castle
Dilston Physic Garden and Hexham
Holy Island, Lindesfarne Castle and the Gertude Jekyll Garden

Your itinerary

DAY 1 Independent arrival and check-in from 3pm. Enjoy an evening welcome drink and dinner with wine at the hotel.
DAY 2 We take a morning guided tour of Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum, with lunch (included) at the Earl Grey Tea Room. This is followed by an afternoon visit to Alnwick Castle, which includes a private tour of the State Rooms. Later, enjoy prosecco and a talk from expert plantsman David Hurrion at The Alnwick Garden, followed by an exclusive afterhours tour and three-course dinner in the Pavilion.
DAY 3 Enjoy a private morning tour of Whalton Manor’s walled garden, followed by lunch in the village. Afternoon visit to Belsay Castle and its Quarry Garden. Dinner with wine at the hotel.
DAY 4 Early private visit to Dilston Physic Garden with guided tour and additional time to explore independently. Free time for lunch in Hexham and an optional trip to the abbey. In the afternoon, we visit High Trees with owner-led insights. Evening private tour of Bide-A-Wee Cottage Garden with refreshments and talk. Dinner with wine at the hotel.
DAY 5 Visit Lindisfarne Castle and the Gertrude Jekyll Garden on Holy Island. Afternoon at Cragside with house tour, Head Gardener talk and garden visit. Return to the hotel.

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Terms and conditions

Organised by and subject to booking conditions of Travel Editions Tours Ltd. Experts/locations may be substituted. All timings are approximate and order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion. Joining instructions sent 14 days prior to departure. Price excludes holiday insurance, transfers, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, calls etc, porterage and gratuities. *Pricing from £1,645 per person based on twin/double share. Double for sole use supplement: £240. Extra night at end of tour twin/double (B&B): £90 per person. Extra night at end of tour double for sole use (B&B): £150.

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