Blossom Blooms at The Alnwick Garden
Visitors urged to catch the Cherry Orchard in bloom this April at The Alnwick Garden
Spring has officially sprung at The Alnwick Garden, which reports that its famous Cherry Orchard is now approaching full bloom.
A highly anticipated event in the April calendar, the Orchard is expected to be in full bloom from 12th of April for approximately two weeks, according to head gardener at The Alnwick Garden, Mikey Leach.
From the 14th until the 20th of April, The Alnwick Garden will be offering a special £5 ticket, which grants visitors access to The Gardens from 5pm-7pm, enabling them to experience the impressive sight of the Orchard in full bloom after work hours. With smooth solid surfaces, wheelchair-accessible routes, and Changing Places toilets, The Garden is fully accessible to all, and Cherry Orchard visits are free with admission.
The iconic Northumberland Garden is home to the world’s largest collection of Tai Haku cherry blossoms, boasting 329 of the ‘Great White’ trees known for their snow-like clusters of blooms spanning around 7cm. The trees are synonymous with Japan, where Hanami is celebrated every spring as people gather to celebrate the ‘transient beauty of flowers’.
For 20 years, the spectacular blossoms have stood proudly within The Alnwick Garden, where they flower each spring and create an oasis of natural beauty. While the blossoms are at their best, visitors are encouraged to visit The Garden to enjoy scenic views, a swing on the benches connecting the trees, or even a picnic under their canopy.
The Alnwick Garden was created by The Duchess of Northumberland with community in mind. Younger children can play in and explore The Garden's vast collection of flowers, while older children can navigate the labyrinth or take a guided tour of the Poison Garden, which contains over 100 varieties of toxic plants. The impressive grounds and all they offer are also frequently visited by keen gardeners, looking to nurture their passion.
A renowned North East attraction, The Garden is part of The Alnwick Trust - a charity that supports the local community by hosting an array of programmes, aimed at increasing employment, combating loneliness, and providing drug education to young people.
A whole host of events are taking place throughout The Garden this spring and over Easter including an Easter Trail with Reg the Hedge, Instagram-able shots on the giant shiny gold bunny seat, and May half term will kick-start the ‘summer of games’ event.