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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
Important notice
On Thursday 17 July after 3pm there will be no access by car to or from Crook Hall Gardens. This is due to a closure of Framwelgate Waterside. We're open until 5pm for car-free visitors.
Opening times for 17 July 2025
Asset Opening time Gardens & Medieval Hall 10:00 - 17:00 Cafe 10:00 - 16:30 Second-hand bookshop 10:00 - 15:30 No booking required (excluding some events). Last entry to the gardens and medieval hall one hour before closing.
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Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £10.50 £9.50 Child (5-17) under 5s free £5.30 £4.75 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £26.20 £23.75 Family (1 Adult and up to 3 children) £15.70 £14.25 Group (Adult 18+) £9.03 Group (Child 5-17) £4.51 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Bookshop
Browse second-hand books in Crook Hall's Jacobean Room, 10am - 3.30pm every day the gardens are open.
- Café
The Garden Gate Café serves hot and cold drinks, light bites and cakes. Dine in or takeaway. Free entry.
- Car park
Pay and display car park, 10am-6pm. Follow signs for Crook Hall Gardens, entrance next to café. (NB there is another car park next door, not National Trust). National Trust members free, please scan membership card. All other visitors £3.30 for up to 3 hours. Blue Badge spaces. Please note, our car park is for visitors to Crook Hall Gardens and café only.
- Dogs allowed
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
- Electric vehicle charging point
Four 11kW electric vehicle charging points are available in the car park. Chargers can be accessed using mobile app, RFID card, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging provider RAW Charging’s website (www.rawcharging.com/drivers) to download the app in advance of your visit. Chargers are only available to visitors during property
- Picnic area
There are benches and seating areas dotted around the gardens. Or bring a picnic blanket to spread on the grass.
- 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
Assistance dogs permitted in the medieval hall. Parts of the gardens can be accessed in a wheelchair. Winding, narrow or uneven paths make some areas inaccessible to wheelchair users. Level access from the car park; from there, access to the main garden area is via an incline. Benches located around the site. Accessible toilet with baby changing facilities in the café. We'd strongly advise referring to our full access statement (link below) before visiting in a wheelchair.
- Accessible toilet
An accessible toilet can be found in the café
- Designated parking
There are designated Blue Badge spaces in the car park
- Induction loop
- 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
- Steps/uneven terrain
Winding, narrow or uneven paths make some areas inaccessible to wheelchair users
Car park entrance - what3words: ///model.cost.retain
- 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. Continue past the Radisson Blu hotel, turn right at the mini roundabout and follow National Trust signage towards the entrance to Crook Hall Gardens car park, open 10am - 6pm.
Parking: Parking on site. Pay and display, free for National Trust members. All other visitors £3.30 for up to 3 hours. Please note, our car park is for visitors to the gardens and café only. Four electric vehicle charging points are available. See “Facilities” for more information. Drivers will require their own cables to charge.
- 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.
- Cycling
Nearest National Cycle Network: Route 14 (Darlington to South Shields).
Planning your visit
Article
Things to do in Crook Hall Gardens
Wander through a series of interlinked gardens, each with its own character. Find out all the things to see and do here.
Article
Visiting Crook Hall Gardens with your dog
Find out where dogs are welcome at Crook Hall Gardens and the facilities on offer for your canine companions.
Highlights
Gardens
Intriguing paths lead you through acres of interlinked gardens, each with its own character and style.
Maze
A living puzzle to explore in the garden, mostly planted with cotoneaster that has stunning red berries in autumn.
Historic setting
Gardens set against a Grade I listed medieval hall, with views to Durham Cathedral.
Café
Enjoy light bites, hot and cold drinks at The Garden Gate Café (free entry).
Second-hand bookshop
Find a selection of pre-loved books. All proceeds go towards caring for Crook Hall Gardens.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do in Crook Hall Gardens
Wander through a series of interlinked gardens, each with its own character. Find out all the things to see and do here.
Eating
Article
Eating at Crook Hall Gardens
Discover where to eat and drink during a visit to Crook Hall Gardens in Durham.
Places to stay
Garden Gate Apartment
A contemporary apartment with a balcony view of Crook Hall Gardens.
Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage 1
As part of the lighthouse, you’ll be a stone’s throw from the Sunderland coast.
Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage 2
A cliff-top cottage perching in the shadows of the iconic red and white Souter Lighthouse.
Upcoming events
Event
Composting talk at Crook Hall Gardens
Find out everything you need to know about composting with our master composters.
Event
Active play: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens
Wacky races and silly faces: try outdoor games and sports at Crook Hall Gardens.
Event
Nature crafts: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens
Be inspired by nature and create some wild art.
Event
History of Durham city walk
A guided walk from Crook Hall Gardens delving into the history of Durham.
Event
Crook Hall Gardens tour: history and literary links
Step into Crook Hall Gardens' past on a guided tour.
About Crook Hall Gardens
Wander through a series of interlinking gardens, each with its own style and character, set against the backdrop of a Grade 1 listed medieval hall. Visitors can discover a maze, a secret walled garden, an orchard, a wildlife-rich moat pool, tranquil seating areas and views of Durham city and cathedral. The Garden Gate Café (free entry) offers seating indoors, as well as on an outdoor terrace. Dogs on a short lead are welcome in the gardens and café.
History
Article
History of Crook Hall Gardens
A stone’s throw from Durham’s World Heritage Site, Grade I listed Crook Hall is considered one of the city’s most significant medieval domestic buildings.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Crook Hall Gardens
We're lucky to currently have a full team of volunteers at Crook Hall Gardens, so have paused recruitment for the time being. Please check back for future opportunities.