North East

Crook Hall Gardens

Characterful gardens on the edge of Durham city, set against the backdrop of a medieval hall.

Frankland Lane, Sidegate, Durham, DH1 5SZ

Opening times
Prices
See on map

Plants, flowers and shrubs show early autumn colours in Crook Hall Gardens. A vine climbing above a window in the hall behind has bright red leaves.

Opening times for 4 December 2023
Asset Opening time
Gardens & Medieval Hall Closed
Cafe Closed
Second-hand bookshop Closed
Last entry to the gardens and medieval hall one hour before closing. Last orders in the café half an hour before closing.
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Open

Partially open

Closed
Book shop
Browse second-hand books in Crook Hall's Jacobean Room, 10am - 3.30pm every day the gardens are open.
Dogs
Dogs on short leads welcome, including in the café. Assistance dogs only in the medieval hall. Water bowls provided. Please clean up after your dog and dispose of used bags in a litter bin
Cafe
The Garden Gate Café serves hot and cold drinks, light bites and cakes. Dine in or takeaway. Free entry.
Toilet
Accessible toilet with baby changing area in the café. There is another toilet (not accessible) close to the medieval hall, approx. 50 metres from the admissions area
Car park
Pay and display car park open 8am - 6pm. (NB there is another car park next door, not National Trust. Follow signs for Crook Hall Gardens, entrance next to café). National Trust members free, please scan membership card. All other visitors £3 for up to 3 hours. Blue Badge spaces. Please note, our car park is for visitors to Crook Hall Gardens and café only.
Assistance dogs permitted in the medieval hall. Parts of the gardens can be accessed in a wheelchair. Level access from the car park; from there, access to the main garden area is via an incline. Winding, narrow or uneven paths make some areas inaccessible to wheelchair users. Benches located around the site. Accessible toilet with baby changing in the café.
Accessible toilet
An accessible toilet can be found in the café
Ramped access/slopes
Parts of the gardens can be accessed in a wheelchair. Level access from the car park to the entrance; from there, access to the main garden area is via an incline
Designated parking
There are designated Blue Badge spaces in the car park
Steps/uneven terrain
Winding, narrow or uneven paths make some areas inaccessible to wheelchair users
Map
Directions via Google Maps
By road
From north or south, take the A690 into Durham and cross the river. Take the first exit at the next roundabout, Crook Hall Gardens is signposted via Framwelgate Waterside and Frankland Lane. It seems like you're turning left off Milburngate into a multi storey car park, that's correct. NB you'll pass a pay and display car park before a National Trust sign and the entrance to Crook Hall Gardens car park.
Parking: Parking on site. Pay and display, free for National Trust members. Please note, our car park is for visitors to the gardens and café only.
On foot
10 - 12 minutes from Durham Railway Station, via Highgate, Framwellgate and Sidegate. 15 minutes from Durham Cathedral or 8 minutes from Durham Market Place via Framwelgate Waterside.
By train
Regular trains to Durham from Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool Lime Street, Plymouth, Bristol and London Kings Cross. Crook Hall Gardens is a 10 - 12 minute walk from the station; follow signs towards the city centre, then turn left along Framwelgate Waterside by the river or take a shortcut via Highgate, across Framwellgate and down Sidegate (cobbled).
By bus
Cathedral Bus 40a stops at Freeman's Place coach park, a 6 minute walk to Crook Hall Gardens via Framwelgate Waterside.
By bicycle
Nearest National Cycle Network: Route 14 (Darlington to South Shields).
Cycle route information
Frankland Lane, Sidegate, Durham, DH1 5SZ
01913831832
crookhallgardens@nationaltrust.org.uk