UK's secret gardens highlighted at North East show

The secret gardens of North East England will be on show at one of the biggest gardeners’ exhibitions in the country this week. For the first time the region’s rolling parklands, historic gardens and glorious greenery will be promoted at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live event being held at Birmingham’s NEC.

This year the show is being held in conjunction with the BBC Good Homes Live and the BBC Good Food Summer Festival with more than 150,000 people expected at the five-day event.

Visitors will be able to get a copy of the free guide to gardens in North East England, which includes profiles and features on 34 gardens located throughout the region, which are open to visitors.

The handy-sized guide features gardens galore at a wide range of attractions, including historic gardens that provide elegant backdrops to grand country houses such as the forest garden at Gibside influenced by Capability Brown. At the other end of the timescale is The Alnwick Garden with its Grand Cascade, Labyrinth and one of the world’s largest tree houses.

Flagship attractions such as Cragside, Wallington and Belsay all in Northumberland, are featured alongside other gems such as the lesser known Shakespeare inspired garden at Crook Hall in County Durham, Chester’s Walled Garden near Hadrian’s Wall, Herterton House in Northumberland or the pioneering eco-experience of Nature’s World in Tees Valley.

And to help visitors plan their trip to the region a dedicated gardens microsite was launched earlier this year. The site includes handy-tips on where to go as well as a Garden of the month section as well as stunning imagery.

Tania Robinson, Head of Marketing at One NorthEast said: “The BBC Gardeners’ World Exhibition offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase North East England and its wonderful gardens.

“From North Northumberland to the Tees valley there are superb historic and contemporary gardens in both the region’s countryside and vibrant towns and cities.

“Many of the region’s gardens remain relatively undiscovered by gardens lovers from elsewhere in the UK and the show gives us the chance to show a glimpse of what is on offer and encourage more visitors to North East England.”

To get a copy of your guide go to Visitnortheastengland.com/gardens.