A summer escape: discovering The Alnwick Garden 

With the last bank holiday upon us, we dusted off our thinking caps and decided to find somewhere picturesque to take little Cyrus. Unsurprisingly, we ended up in the same place we always do when we want a bit of ‘paradaida’, that’s paradise in old Persian, the utterly enchanting The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland.

Stunning scenery that stops you in your tracks

The flowers alone could stop anyone mid-step. The sheer extravagance of the blooms, the symmetry of the paths, the water cascading elegantly through the terraces, it’s impossible not to gasp.

I hadn’t been to Alnwick Castle since I was a child, over 35 years ago, so returning with Cyrus and Pesar Khaleh (H’s cousin) felt like stepping into a dream I half-remembered. This summer, the stars finally aligned and we explored the gardens in their full glory.

Parks and gardens: a slice of Persian heritage

Gardens have always mattered in Persian culture, they are a celebration of life, order, and beauty. Alnwick reminded me of those conversations with the in-laws about the kind of scenery that shapes childhoods.

As a new mum over 40, I find myself reflecting more on my childhood visits to parks in Northumberland. H insists on fresh air adventures for Cyrus, not just for fun but because gardens and parks help with reflection and connection.

The ornamental garden

Alnwick is a feast for the senses. The ornamental garden, cherry orchard, poison garden, grand cascade, and my personal favourite, the rose garden, each tell their own story. For little C, it’s all about strawberries, streams, and flower petals.

The Persian in H couldn’t help noticing echoes of home. The Chahar Bagh plan, developed by King Cyrus, used rectangular canals and pathways to quarter gardens. This approach influenced the Taj Mahal gardens too. “Chahar” means four, “bagh” means garden. Water, structure, and symmetry, classic Persian elegance, are everywhere at Alnwick.

Coffee and cakes

The Pavilion Café, near the entrance, gave us the perfect perch. Coffee in hand, we admired the Great Cascade while inhaling the scent of roses. Lunch was simple, three sandwiches with drinks came to £20.50, but filling, and worth every crumb. The Treehouse eatery is still on our list for next time.

Water features that make you pause

Water plays a starring role in Persian gardens, and Alnwick’s design reflects that beautifully. Paved courtyards, fountains, pools, and vertical lines channel movement and reflection alike. It reminded me of gardens I’ve visited near the resting places of poets Hafez and Saa’di.

The cherry orchard, with more than 100 trees planted in staggered rows, offered swings for grown-ups and little ones alike. Watching H, Pesar Khaleh, and C swing together, I felt that simple joy only family days out can bring, thankfully just 35 minutes from home rather than thousands of miles away.

Family fun, whatever the age

Alnwick isn’t just for the Instagram-perfect photo op. Little C adored the children’s tractors, perfectly positioned for parental supervision. For older children (and adults pretending to be young), a fairytale quest wound through the gardens. We spent hours exploring, spotting clues, and soaking in the colours and scents.

A garden that gives back

Beyond beauty, The Alnwick Garden is a charity. The Alnwick Garden Trust supports the local community in countless ways, from employment and tourism revenue to outreach programmes for disadvantaged children and isolated older people.

As we left, we promised ourselves on the drive home, it won’t be another 35 years before our next visit.

“The Alnwick Garden evokes memories of family, beauty, and the joy of being present – all just a short drive from home.”