Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum

Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum Step into Northumberland’s history & pause with an Earl Grey where its story began
🌱 Explore our 65-acre wild origin Arboretum
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A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our church summer fete! 🎉It was wonderful to see so many people (and dogs...
01/09/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our church summer fete! 🎉

It was wonderful to see so many people (and dogs!) enjoying the afternoon, having a go at the games and supporting St Michael and All Angels Parish Church.

There was plenty of fun to be had, including some very enthusiastic attempts at knocking over coconuts!🥥 🎯

Thank you to everyone who came, bought, played, donated and helped make the afternoon such a success. We really appreciate your support!❤️

29/08/2026

Marcus takes us to the clock boarder today to talk flowers 🕰️

Don’t worry, there’s still time to enjoy these beauties, they aren’t going anywhere just yet! ⏳🌸

As we head into Autumn 🍁, our Acers are bursting with samaras (acer’s winged fruits). Our Acer stachyophyllum is practic...
27/08/2026

As we head into Autumn 🍁, our Acers are bursting with samaras (acer’s winged fruits).

Our Acer stachyophyllum is practically dripping with them!

Our other varieties are doing very similar things at the moment, come and have a look.

Do you have a favourite acer? Let us know in the comments.

24/08/2026

To Howick this week and the Hydrangea Garden is looking superb. To pinch HG Marcus’ tag line - “why not come down and take a look?!”

One of my jobs for the week is checking the mapping of this with Dad, so any that aren’t labelled can be so.

Gardens open daily 10.30-6.00pm (last entry 5.00)

✍️

21/08/2026

A special treat for all the compost enthusiasts out there 👀

Some of you may remember Marcus working on the composting area back in December. Using repurposed wood from the felled Cupressus marcrocarpa, Marcus and the team increased the size of our composting area. Now all that space can be put to good use! This magnificent concoction of hay and cow muck will be ready to use next spring.

The striking agapanthus hedge forming a blue swathe right along the terrace. These are some of the original ‘Headbourne...
18/08/2026

The striking agapanthus hedge forming a blue swathe right along the terrace.

These are some of the original ‘Headbourne Hybrids’, raised by family member Lewis Palmer who introduced them from South Africa in the 1940s, all grown from seeds from the different known species grown at Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden. Lewis discovered they were prolific interbreeders and so varied enormously in their offspring (ie the children differed from the parent). More crucially he realised they’d kept the hardy genes of their inland/mountainous ancestors. He grew many on, named several but gave a great many away to friends and they became known as ‘Headbourne Hybrids’

In 1972 the RHS trialled agapanthus and at least 62 of the 72 entries were the result of Lewis Palmer’s work.

Uncle Luly, as he was known was Mabel Grey’s brother (making him my great great uncle) and was regarded with great affection by all the generation above me. I wish I’d known him and had been able to sit and listen to his gardening chat with Mabel, Charles and my grandmother over tea on the terrace. So much knowledge to have soaked up!

✍️

Have you been to our hydrangea garden yet? This summer’s blooms are out! Definitely worth taking a moment to seeing them...
16/08/2026

Have you been to our hydrangea garden yet?

This summer’s blooms are out! Definitely worth taking a moment to seeing them at their best.

Watch our previous reel for an introduction to our many varieties.

14/08/2026

Another episode of through the seasons with Head Gardener Marcus.

The hydrangeas are looking particularly beautiful at the moment 🌿 So full and vibrant, the blooms are really putting on a show around the garden.

Our arboretum tours with tree enthusiast Ian Dodd will now be running weekly Thursday mornings at 11:30 instead of Frida...
13/08/2026

Our arboretum tours with tree enthusiast Ian Dodd will now be running weekly Thursday mornings at 11:30 instead of Friday afternoons. Meet at the kiosk for a free tour of a section of the arboretum and learn about a range of trees in our extensive collection.

10/08/2026

Through the Seasons: Bundles of fun

Goodbye wildflower meadow, we’ll see you next year!
Marcus and the team have been busy cutting and baling up this years growth.🚜

Address

Estate Office
Howick
NE663LB

Opening Hours

Monday 10:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 10:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 4pm
Thursday 10:30am - 4pm
Friday 10:30am - 4pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4pm
Sunday 10:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+441665577285

Website

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