Alnwick Garden

February 2008

The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is renown as one of the most spectacular new gardens in the world, and preparations are underway to make it even grander. As the final part of a three phase project to enhance the garden, which officially opened in 2002 as a place for contemplation, fun, inspiration and education, workers have planted 350 Tai Haku cherry trees in an orchard that is to be opened in the spring of next year. The Tai Haku, also referred to as the Great White, are known for their strikingly beautiful blossoms, and The Alnwick Garden will now possess the most prominent population of the trees in the UK.

Sure to enhance the garden's appeal for tourists in search of natural beauty, the Tai Haku are in bloom annually during the month's of April and May, and the orchard will be wheelchair accessible on winding paths lined with spring bulbs and grasses. Already a destination for travellers from across the globe, the enhanced features of the Alnwick Garden also include an existing pond at the bottom of the bank of Tai Haku trees that will be newly landscaped and frozen for half of the year to create a skating rink that surrounds a dramatic ice sculpture. Also included in the Phase Three development project are a treetop adventure play area, a grotto and five additional unique gardens.

For more information about the Alnwick Garden visit www.alnwickgarden.com.