Howick Hall - Northumberland
Howick Hall is located close to the Northumberland coast between Boulmer and Craster and is famous for two main attractions:
- Gardens & Arboretum
- Historical association with the Grey family including the Earls Grey
Howick Hall Gardens
Howick is perhaps best known for Silverwood, the woodland garden (pictured right) started by Lord Grey in 1930.
There is an extensive collection of mainly species rhododendrons which is still being added to. Equal attention has been paid to ground cover, particularly by Lady Mary over the last thirty years and there is a wide variety of herbaceous material.
Magnolia Campbellii (pictured left) has become a favourite of regular visitors to Howick Hall Gardens. It is a native of the Himalayas and first flowered at Howick in1962, 30 years after it was planted by the 5th Earl Grey.
The number of flowers has increased over the years and now produces a spectacular display of large pink flowers every year in early April.
The wild flower meadows on the north and south-east sides of Howick Hall are a lovely feature in May (pictured right). Lady Mary planted late single coloured tulips in four or five different shades in the long grass. They look very effective with the other wild flowers and she used to call it her ‘Botticelli Meadow’.
The other main attraction is the arboretum which covers over 65 acres and contains over 11,000 trees and shrubs. The layout reflects their geographical origins and there is a distinct preference for trees and shrubs from China and Japan. Amazingly all the specimens you see are of "wild origin". Basically the seeds were collected in their native environment in the wild.
The 'Family Explorer Challenge' is a nature trail which wanders through the arboretum and woodland walks and poses a number of questions about wildlife and nature before bringing you back into the garden. If you are lucky, you will see some wildlife – look out for red squirrels, herons, swans and ducks and many different species of birds.
The gardens are based around a stream running through the grounds to exit onto a sandy cove at Burnmouth. From here there is a pleasant walk north to Craster and from there you can visit Dunstanburgh Castle - but do take care as the exit gate from the gardens to the beach is one way only!
History of Howick Hall - The Earl Grey Connection
Howick is the home of Earl Grey tea! The tea was specially blended by a Chinese Mandarin for Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, whose home was Howick. He is the most distinguished member of the Grey family and his statue stands on the column at the top of Grey Street in Newcastle; Grey College in Durham University is also named after him. As leader of the Whig party he was British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834, during which time the Great Reform Bill of 1832 was passed (in the teeth of opposition from the Duke of Wellington) which paved the way for modern democracy in Britain.
Opening Times & Directions
The house is not currently open to the public but the gardens can be visited all year round. There is also a tea room which presents the perfect opportunity to sample Earl Grey tea in its original location!
The entrance fees are very reasonable with children going for free and discounts for over 60s.
If you have satellite navigation in your car, you just need to enter the post code NE66 3LB. Otherwise, the direction are essentially quite simply - if you are travelling along the A1 then head for the coast and Craster. Once you reach Craster then there are signs for Howick which is a short distance to the south.
Holiday Cottages On The Howick Hall Estate
There are two self catering, holiday cottages on the Howick Hall Estate which are available for holiday rental. Both enjoy superb, enviable coastal locations and all linen, fuel and electricity are supplied. Both properties have been awarded EnjoyEngland ratings.
The Bathing House (sleeps 6)
A Grade II listed cottage, The Bathing House is probably the most famous holiday rental property in the whole of Northumberland. Sitting atop a small cliff immediately above the sea it was built by the
5th Earl Grey for when his family wished to bathe on the small beach below. You can enjoy spectacular, panoramic coastal views from every window. EnjoyEngland 3 star rating.
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The Old School, Howick (sleeps 2)
The Old School House is part of the listed building which was once the local school and part of the Howick Hall estate. It has been beautifully converted and is just 400 yards from the sea. EnjoyEngland 4 star rating.
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