Skip to content

Crook Hall & Gardens

Described in Country Life as having 'history, romance and beauty'. Intriguing medieval hall and manor houses surrounded by 5 acres of fine gardens. Visitors can enjoy magnificent cathedral views from the 2 walled gardens. Other garden 'rooms' inc the silver and white garden, an orchard and the moat pond. The maze and Sleeping Giant give added interest.

Owner Info

Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall & Gardens

About Crook Hall & Gardens

Most of England’s large city gardens have disappeared. Crook Hall, only a few hundred yards from the centre of Durham city, is a marvellous exception. It has six acres of romantic gardens, divided into eleven garden areas, each with its own unique atmosphere: The secret walled garden is a paradise of the rambling rose – Rambling Rector and Wedding Day clamber over the ancient fruit trees, wreathing them in colour and scent. The second walled garden is crammed with cottage garden plants and is at its riotous best in high summer, when oriental poppies jostle for position with lupins, sweet rocket and geranium cultivars. In contrast, the Cathedral Garden is a newer addition, with planting to mimic the stained glass windows of the cathedral high on the skyline. The wooded glade comes into its own in the spring when thousands of bulbs burst into life. Other garden areas include an orchard, (wonderful in blossom time), a moat pool and the Shakespeare Garden which features typical Elizabethan plants such as lovage, borage, lemon balm, marigold and meadowsweet. There is also a developing maze – much enjoyed by younger visitors. The Hall itself is also open to the public. Described by architecture historian Nikolaus Pevsner as ‘a precious medieval relic’, the fascinating grade one listed building is a wonderful jumble of historical styles; the banqueting hall dates back to the early thirteenth century and sits alongside the haunted Jacobean room. The newest part of the Hall is Georgian with tall windows looking serenely out over the gardens to the cathedral. No wonder Crook Hall is described in Country Life as having ‘history, romance and beauty’!

Location details

Crook Hall & Gardens,
Durham City,
County Durham,
DH1 5SZ

Directions to Crook Hall & Gardens
Crook Hall is short walk from Durham's Market Place. Follow the tourist info signs. Pay and display parking available at entrance.

Crook Hall & Gardens openings

This garden has now completed its National Garden Scheme openings for this year.

Accessibility

  • No information available at this time, please get in touch with the owners for details.
  • Share this garden

Other Gardens of Potential Interest

FAQs

Payment is by cash only. Please get in touch with the owners for more details.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at Crook Hall & Gardens at this time.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Crook Hall & Gardens. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

There are no plants for sale for the time being.

Sorry, Crook Hall & Gardens does not yet accommodate wheelchair users.

Yes. Crook Hall & Gardens seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.