Things to do in Crook Hall Gardens

A small child in a yellow waterproof jumpsuit walks away from the camera along a winding stone path between trees with daffodils growing around their in a small orchard. — Spring in the orchard | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Wander through a series of interlinked gardens, each with its own character. Intriguing paths lead you to blooming borders, secluded walled gardens, an orchard and a tranquil moat pool. Sheltered spots tempt you to sit a while and soak up your surroundings. Views of Durham Cathedral are a reminder that this green oasis is close to the heart of the city. Find out all the things to see and do here.

Exploring Crook Hall Gardens

The gardens complement each other, while differing in age and personality. Formal areas with neat lines and topiary hedges border traditional English cottage gardens, boasting a colourful medley of roses, wisteria, perennials, trees and shrubs.

The serene moat pool is planted with water lilies, hosta and iris. The gentle sound of running water and views towards fields and woodlands beyond the gardens enhance its peaceful appeal.

The gardens are a haven for wildlife, alive with bees and butterflies collecting nectar from flowers, ducks and moorhens on the pond and songbirds in the trees.

Blossom watch

From late April to mid-May, apple blossom is a welcome sight - and scent - in the orchard. Delicate white/pink flowers fill the trees for a few short weeks before the petals fall to the ground like confetti. Pause for a while to take it all in. Listen to the soothing buzz of bees as they feed on sweet nectar and do the vital job of transferring pollen from flower to flower, fertilisting them so the trees bear fruit in the autumn.

You can share the spring love on social media by posting your blossom photos using #BlossomWatch.

A curved path of stepping stones amongst grass weaves its way between medium sized apple trees covered in bright green young leaves and pale pink blossom. — Blossom in the orchard | © National Trust/Kate Horne

May half term at Crook Hall Gardens

Explore the maze or borrow a pair of binoculars from our wildlife hub to see if you can spot some birds. Find an outlet for all that springtime energy with free family games and mini-sports from 24 May - 1 June, including archery, football and tennis. Head to our what's on page for all the details.

Seasonal highlights in the gardens

Watching the seasons change at Crook Hall Gardens is reason to return again and again.

Spring in the gardens

Spring grows into a riot of colour. Hellebores ease us out of winter, with snowdrops and winter aconites joining them as an early sign of spring. Bright splashes of anemones, cyclamen and crocus soon appear. The vibrant yellows of daffodils, forsythia and kerria bring sunshine on even the dullest day. Tulips, grape hyacinth and fritillaria add variety to the palette.

A large magnolia, benefiting from spring warmth in the shelter of the walled garden, puts on a magnificent display of flowers. And a frothy mass of blossom makes the orchard an unmissable sight.

Summer in the gardens

Roses come into their own each summer, filling the gardens with their beauty and scent. From June, phlox, oriental poppies and ox-eye daisies vie for attention in the walled gardens. The moat pool teems with life, including frogs, newts and dragonflies.

Autumn in the gardens

Keep an eye on the maze in the autumn. A living puzzle planted mainly of cotoneaster, at the beginning of September it sports dark green leaves; red berries soon appear, then develop over the coming weeks in a fascinating transformation.

Several shrubs have an autumnal ‘wow’ moment. Look out for beautyberry with its vivid purple berries. Autumn crocuses also provide unexpected pops of colour.

Winter in the gardens

Winter is the season to see things in the gardens differently. Without leaves, the bark of trees and shrubs is revealed; the twisted, contorted stems of corkscrew hazel, the winged and cork-like bark of winged spindle, while the distinctive silver trunks of silver birch remind us what inspires their name.

Look out for rich dark berries on ivy, cheerful red berries on holly bushes, and the spiny variegated leaves of hedgehog holly. The evergreen shrub sweet box fills the air with its unmistakeable winter perfume.

Weekly garden tours

Keen to dig a little deeper? Each Friday, expert garden volunteers share their knowledge about flowers, plants, shrubs and nature-friendly, sustainable gardening. On Wednesdays, you can step into the gardens' past on a guided tour exploring history and literary links. Both tours are free with admission to the gardens and there's no need to book ahead. Head to our what's on page to find out more.

Family fun in the gardens

During school holidays, you'll find events and self-led activties for the whole family. Head to our what's on page to see what's coming up.
There are benches dotted around the gardens which make an ideal picnic spot.
Adventurous visitors can explore the maze next to the café.
Head to our wildlife hub to discover what creatures you might see. You're welcome to borrow a pair of binoculars to watch the birds.
We’re sorry but, for the safety of all our visitors and to protect the gardens, bicycles are not permitted in the gardens.
We welcome under 5s on trikes or balance bikes (no pedals, but please be aware that there are limited hard paths and that these often have a loose (gravel) surface, and few are flat.