Scented Plants To Attract The Bees And Butterflies...

Butterfly Week 17th July The Slate Garden attracts many different butterflies and bees.Plants to attract them include; Lavender,Hydrangeas, Lilacs, Nepetas, Sedums

The Bowes Garden...

The Bowes Railway Garden was designed to link with out local heritage of coal and railways. Causey Arch the oldest railway bridge in the world is less than two miles away. Tanfield Steam Railway is a good place for railway enthusiasts and runs along the top of our lane.

Relax In The Meditation Garden...

Watching swallows over the pond in the Meditation Garden. We also see Red Kites & Curlews regularly from the gardens.

Nursery Within A Walled Garden...

The fully-stocked Nursery with Alpines and early Perennials.

Truckshunter's AGM

Recently we were pleased to welcome Ian Robinson & fellow 'truckshunters' who had their very informal AGM on the Tea terrace on a perfect summer day, Ian described it in much more eloquent terms,'

BIRKHEADS AGM

Yes indeed, I agree with everyone’s comments so far. It was a truly memorable get-together in the April sunshine on Wednesday. A perfect venue - a little ivy-bestrewn suntrap tucked away in the corner of a secret garden hideaway concealed in the undulating folds of the north-west Durham hills. (That was a purple patch if ever there was one - long and florid, like so many things in life.)But it wasn’t just the venue, was it? Our hosts were truly accommodating and the victuals were a great deal more than merely acceptable; plenteous supplies of coffee and - er - cakes and toasties and - er - more cakes...Naturally - and as you would expect - the quality of the crack was well up to truckshunter standards, if a little too raucously funny at times. In truth, we were almost barred from the premises within five minutes of our arrival for disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the verdant and sylvan surroundings of the secret garden.So a BIG truckshunters Thankyou from me to Christine and her husband for their good humour and forbearance under very trying circumstances and, of course, to Hildie, Vivienne, Maureen and Sid for being such splendid company. I think we were all a bit surprised to realise that the AGM lasted four whole hours.

Nursery And Coffee Shop

View of the Nursery & New Coffee Shop from Water Plant Section.

Tasty Treats And Excellent Coffee...

Christine learning how to make a Cappucino!

Introduction...

This year Birkheads Secret Gardens will have been opening its gates to visitors for 20 years and they're celebrating with a new coffee shop, a Silver Award from the Green Business Tourism Scheme, and joining in Passionate About Gardens. Lots of work has been done to improve access and special events are held throughout the summer.

This 3 acre country garden is set on the edge of the Great North Forest overlooking Hedley Hall Woods on the border of Gateshead, with stunning rural views in all directions across County Durham.
The nursery and coffeee shop are in the old walled garden with paths leading to further secret gardens each with its own distinctive character.
Since 1978 the owners, Christine and Michael Liddle, have been creating the gardens from grassland to include a Wellbeing Garden with organically grown vegetables and herbs, mixed borders of trees, shrubs and perennials, a Slate Garden planned with scented plants to attract bees and butterflies, the Meditation Garden, where visitors can watch swallows and dragonfllies dipping over the pond, and the Willow Dome where small visitors love the fairies and taller visitors use it as a hide for taking photographs of the many birds in the garden.
The adjoining nursery sells plants propagated in the gardens with friendly staff on hand for advice.
The pantiled coffee shop offers a selection of tasty treats and excellent coffee. It overlooks the Topiary Garden where you can take tea under the 120-year old grapevine in the conservatory, or on the terrace while watching the birds.
Thanks to Living North Magazine: Good Gardens Guide (www.livingnorth.com)