The gardens here are SPECTACULAR! I've been in late spring, summer, and early fall... each…read moreopportunity providing an entirely different experience. I don't think there's a wrong time to visit! Though, to be honest, I think late spring is my favorite. There's already so much in bloom, and the cherry blossom trees are absolutely breathtaking! Their orchard has the largest collection of 'Taihaku' in the world comprising of 329 trees. Give yourself plenty of time here, so you can sit on the swings amongst the trees and just take it all in! Other highlights include: - The Poison Garden! Home to around "100 species of dangerous, toxic and harmful plants, each of which has the potential to severely injure you!" Tours here occur every thirty minutes, and a very educated (and humorous) guide will tell you all about the plants! - The Grand Cascade! "​One of the largest water features of its kind, the three-tiered Cascade occupies the main north-south axis and forms the spine of The Garden. The half-hourly water display uses 120 water jets and 250,000 gallons of water circulate through the system." - The Ornamental garden! "This walled space was the original kitchen garden to Alnwick Castle. It is now designed as a series of rooms, each one framed with shrubs and trees. It houses over 16,000 plants and the entrance is through 16th century Venetian gates." - The Bamboo Labyrinth! "The Bamboo Labyrinth sways and rustles above the brick paths that wander between its green walls, confusing the visitor." And so, so, so much more. (Including a full schedule of events that take place within the gardens!) Yes, absolutely, you should visit the castle itself too. There's so much history (the origins of the castle date back to the Normal period; it's the second largest inhabited castle in the UK and has served as a military outpost, a teaching college, a refuge for evacuees, a film set, and a private family home). You can take a tour with a docent, take a self-guided tour, practice your broomstick riding or archery skills, visit the artisan's courtyard, try on some medieval costumes or crafts, and take a side quest involving dragons (so much fun even as an adult with no children, let me just say!).

This castle is BREATHTAKING!! One of my favorite places on earth... and I cannot wait to go back…read more It is truly awe-inspiring. It was amazing to see the dining room, after seeing it in Downton Abbey... it is STUNNING. The gardens are beautiful, too... but nothing compares to the castle itself! I'm so very grateful that they allow the public to visit... we do not have anything even remotely close to this in America, of course.