Crook Hall Gardens

About

The National Trust took ownership of the Grade I listed medieval hall and gardens on 28 March 2022, following a period of closure since July 2020.

The medieval hall merges into a Jacobean manor house, which in turn merges into a Georgian town house, reflecting its development over the centuries. The Hall provides a spectacular backdrop to the stunning 10-acre gardens, paddock and fields, alongside magnificent views over Durham city.

Intriguing paths lead you through a series of interlinked gardens, each with its own character. Discover blooming borders, secluded walled gardens, an orchard and a tranquil moat pool. Sheltered spots tempt you to sit a while and soak up your surroundings. The gardens are a haven for wildlife, alive with bees and butterflies collecting nectar from flowers, ducks and moorhens on the pond and songbirds in the trees. Views of Durham Cathedral are a reminder that this green oasis is close to the heart of the city.

A significant number of families have lived in the medieval manor house of Crook Hall over the centuries, including original owner Peter Del Croke, who gave the hall its name. The building has a very rich history and its timeline is littered with amazing characters, from medieval knights and romantic poets to infamous ghosts and ale merchants.

It was more recently owned by the Bell family, from 1995. They opened their home and gardens to visitors, expanding the offer to create a new entrance welcome area, café, and maze.

Planning your Group Visit

Group bookings should be pre-booked via email: crookhallgardens@nationaltrust.org.uk or telephone: 0191 383 1832.

Crook Hall Gardens is open daily 10am-5pm until 5th November, then 10am-4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 17 December 2023.

Please note the medieval hall is the only part of Crook Hall itself open to visitors.

Prices are £8 per adult, £4 per child. We offer 5% off for groups of 15 or more (paying as one group, pre booking required) making it £7.60 per adult instead of £8. Crook Hall Gardens offer free admission for Tour Guides when accompanying groups. National Trust members are also free. We are also an RHS partner garden, giving free admission to RHS individual members and 1 member on a joint membership  There is a £10 administration fee for all group bookings. Payment must be made either prior to your visit or on arrival – cash, card or cheque, we are not set up for BACS payments.

Tours of the gardens are available. Tours last approximately 1 hour (plus questions) and the maximum group size is 12 (if your group is over 12 people you will need to organise 2 or more tours). Each tour is £45.

The Garden Gate Café serves hot and cold drinks, light bites and cakes to eat in or take away. We are unable to reserve tables in our café but if you can please let us know if you intend on using it so the team can ensure they have enough stock.

An accessible toilet with baby changing facilities can be found in the café.

Parts of the gardens can be accessed in a wheelchair. There is level access from the car park; from there access to the main garden area is via an incline. Winding, narrow or uneven paths make some areas inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Dogs on short leads are welcome at Crook Hall Gardens, including in the café. Assistance dogs only in the medieval hall

Parking on site is limited therefore please car share, use a minibus/coach or public transport where possible (there are good local bus links and we are a 10 minute walk from Durham train station).

Follow signs for the National Trust car park off Frankland Lane. Parking is free for National Trust members, please scan your membership card. There is a charge of £3 for up to 3 hours for all other visitors. Blue badge spaces are available..