My husband and I have visited Alnwick Garden a number of times in the past as we have a weeks holiday in Northumberland each year, but this year we took our 3 yr old grandaughter with us as well. We have always found the garden to be impressive, but it was interesting to see, and enjoy it through the eyes of a three year old. The garden is set out beautifully and the centre piece is the fabulous cascade which is the first thing you see as you walk through the gateway. There are also many small, unusual water features quite close to the cascade. My grandaughter Maddie loved getting splashed as the wind blew the water at her. Another attraction in the lower garden is the bamboo maze. The bamboo forms a cover over the pathways making it more interesting and exciting to get lost in. At the top of the cascade you come to the formal walled garden. This is one of my favourite parts of the garden. It is full of beautiful plants and flowers and there are more wonderful water features. Maddie and I spent quite a long time just looking at the doves coming in and out of the dove cott, and she was thrilled to find an egg in the plants near the bottom off it. There are so many different parts to the garden, the poison garden which you can visit at set times throughout the day. This part is always guided, aleays with an imformative guide. There is the treehouse which is absolutely huge. It is worth a visit whether you have children with you or not. I waited with Maddie while two middle aged men 'played' on the wobbly bridge as she called it, then we got our turn to walk across it. I thought she would be scared but she loved it and so did I. If you have time you can combine your visit with a trip to Alnwick Castle as well which is on the same site, but to be honest, trying to do both in one day isnt doing justice to either superb attraction. There are places to eat and drink and a large gift shop. You can also buy plants in the shop. The garden is suitable for wheelchair users.
