Northumberland's gardens and stately homes hint at its colourful and innovative past.
You're probably aware of the award-winning Alnwick Garden, a wonderland created by the Duchess of Northumberland that has become one of the country's fastest-growing tourist attractions.
Everyone from the serious horticulturalist to curious teenagers will find something in The Alnwick Garden. There's a poison garden full of dangerous plants and one of the largest treehouses in Europe.
If you want to pay tribute to a father of innovation, visit Cragside House, Gardens and Estate, near Rothbury. This was the home of Lord Armstrong and was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro electric power. Armstrong transformed Cragside's landscape into a rocky wonderland interspersed by trees through which run miles of footpaths and cycleways.
And there's also Howick Hall & Gardens- recently recognised by the BBC Gardener's World Magazine as one of the top five coastal gardens in the country and once home to Lord Earl Grey, the great British Prime Minister who gave his name to the famous blend of Earl Grey Tea.
Visit Wallington House, garden and estate, near Cambo, and experience rolling parkland, a wooded dene, an ornamental lake and inside a large collection of dolls houses and classical paintings. There's also a new exhibition space that will showcase some of Howick's reserve collections.
There is also the fantastic Chesters walled garden near Hadrian's Wall and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is a true original with a rock garden inspired by the quarry gardens of Sicily.
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