"Eggleston Hall Gardens" Top 5 Page for this destination Barnard Castle Off The Beaten Path Tip by nickandchris

This is known as the secret garden of the north and as we were in the area, thought we'd take a look.It is mainly a nursery, selling a large selection of plants and garden sculptures and seemed a popular place for a browse.

The hall is privately owned but you do get some lovely views of the magnificent building from the grounds.

You are given a guide with your admission price, (£1.00 I think) and this takes you through the garden in a numbered trail.

Although not overly large, the place is interesting, having it's own ruined church that is now been incorporated into the garden with shrubs growing out of it and a couple of huge trees poking through empty windows and the roof.

As our visit was in early April, we were too early for it to be very colourful, nor were the vegs. very advanced but we still enjoyed our gentle wander round. I particularly like the ancient contorted hazel tree, twisted and gnarled like an old hag.

At the top of the garden, a surprise is in store - a replica of the Angel of the North!! Not sure when this was added.

The garden and nursery are home to an unusual plant, the spikey, silver leaved plant Celmisia spectabilis, Eggleston Silver, very sought after.Eggleston is famous for it's quality and quantity of these, originally and carefully nurtured from just three plants.

There is ample parking, a gift shop and a cafe.

The gardens are 5 miles northwest of Barnard Castle, off the B6278 and are well signposted.

Phone: 01833 650115
Website: http://www.egglestonhallgardens.co.uk