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Grimms’ Fairy Tales reimagined: an art trail at Crook Hall Gardens

Discover familiar fairytales creatively reimagined through art.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

Find a series of enchanting fairytale-inspired art installations at Crook Hall Gardens this winter.

Taking inspiration from Grimms’ Fairy Tales, Art Foundation students from Durham Sixth Form Centre have created a series of curious original artworks. From familiar classics like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood to lesser-known tales, each of the stories is infused with magic and mystery. The students have put their own twist on these tales, using a variety of mediums. Be charmed and bewitched as you make your way around the gardens and medieval hall.

Crook Hall Gardens has a special connection to Grimms’ Fairy Tales, as the former home of Margaret Raine Hunt (1831-1921). Margaret was a successful author, mostly under the pseudonym Averil Beaumont. In 1884 she wrote the first and definitive English translation of Grimm’s Household Tales from the original German. This year’s winter programme takes inspiration from Hunt’s legacy.

This trail is free, but normal site admission applies. Pick up a map from admissions to find all the installations.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Suitability

This trail is aimed at ages 5+, but everyone is welcome.

Meeting point

Collect a map from admissions to find all the installations. The installations are spread around the medieval hall and gardens.

What to bring and wear

Weather appropriate clothing and shoes is recommended. Please note that the ground might be muddy in places.

Accessibility

Winding, narrow or uneven paths make some areas inaccessible to wheelchair users. There will be level access to some, but not all of the artworks. Accessible toilet with baby changing facilities in the café.

Other

Some of the artworks may be mildly unsettling to very young visitors. Parental discretion is advised.

Upcoming events

Christmas family crafts 

Celebrate the season at Crook Hall Gardens.

Event summary

on
30 Nov to 14 Dec 2025
at 11:00 to 12:30+ 3 other dates or times

Bookshop crafts for adults 

This Christmas, learn how to make a fun Christmas decoration from recycled books.

Event summary

on
5 Dec to 12 Dec 2025
at 11:00 to 12:30+ 3 other dates or times

SOLD OUT Luxury Christmas wreath workshop with The Northern Flower Garden 

Join florist Debbie from the Northern Flower Garden for a seasonal floral workshop.

Event summary

on
6 Dec 2025
at 11:00 to 14:00

Crook Hall Gardens poetry walk 

From summer sonnets to autumn anthologies, wintery works to springtime stanzas, experience a seasonal poetry walk at Crook Hall Gardens.

Event summary

on
6 Dec 2025
at 13:00 to 13:50