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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Things to Do > Crook Hall Gardens

Crook Hall Gardens

From £4.00
Sidegate
Durham City
County Durham
DH1 5SZ

Tel: +44 0191 383 1832

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Crook Hall Gardens
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  • The Moat Pool at Crook Hall Gardens
  • The maze at Crook Hall Gardens

About

The National Trust is delighted to be welcoming visitors - old and new - back to Crook Hall Gardens, which re-opened on Wednesday 13 July. 

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 visit

Crook Hall Gardens is open daily 10am-5pm until 30 October, then 10am-4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 18 December.

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.

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

The Garden Gate Café serves hot and cold drinks, light bites and cakes to eat in or take away. Open 10am – 5pm. Free admission.

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.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult£8.00 per ticket type
Child£4.00 per ticket type
Family (1 adult)£12.00 per ticket type
Family (Standard)£20.00 per ticket type

National Trust members are free.
Group Tickets (minimum 15 people): 5% discount on standard Adult and Child prices.
Please note the medieval hall is the only part of Crook Hall itself open to visitors.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
986 reviews
    • Excellent
      717
    • Very Good
      204
    • Average
      45
    • Poor
      11
    • Terrible
      9

    Recent Reviews:

    • sheepygold
      london
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      Beautiful gardens, a short stroll from town
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 20th October 2022
      We have never been here before and we were very surprised by the extent of, variety of and quality of the gardens. Even now there is plenty of colour. There is parking and a very pleasant basic cafe... Read full review
    • valcharles1
      Guildford, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Solo travel
      Beautiful garden
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 7th March 2023
      I am so pleased that Crook Hall Gardens are open again, I was not aware of this. I live in the south of England and visited the gardens in late summer 2017, when in Durham. I thought the gardens... Read full review
    • EJ152
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      atmospheric
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 14th March 2023
      Delightful even in cold winter. The gardens are laid out to make the most of the design as well as the planting. A very warm and welcoming cafe too. Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2023

    Access Information

    Opening Times

    2023 (11 Feb 2023 - 17 Dec 2023)
    DayTimes

    * July-October last admission: 4pm
    November-December last admission: 3pm

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

    View Map

    Road Directions

    Nearest major road is A1(M).

    From the A1(M) junction 62, take the A690 into Durham City Centre. At the Gilesgate roundabout take the 2nd exit and follow the road straight over Milburngate Bridge. Take the first left at the end of the bridge and 1st left again. The River Wear will now be in front of you, follow the road round and the river will be on your right hand side. Follow the riverside along, passed the Radisson Blu Hotel and the main entrance to Crook Hall and Gardens is 500 metres further along. Our Garden Gate Cafe is the big wooden building at the entrance to the Crook Hall pay and display car park.

    Public Transport Directions

    Nearest station is Durham Station. From the station road walk down North Road past the bus station to The Gates Shopping Centre. Follow the road down to the riverside, and Crook Hall is signposted from there.

    Highlights...

    Durham CityDurham City, Durham CityA beautiful city with winding cobbled streets packed with history, culture and stunning architecture. Guarded by the River Wear, Durham City with its dramatic skyline never fails to impress.

    The Garden Gate Café at Crook Hall Gardens, Durham CityDine in or takeaway, we're serving hot and cold drinks, light bites and cakes. There's no need to pay admission to the gardens if you're only visiting the café, so you can drop in to enjoy a tasty treat anytime.

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