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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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Add Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

Crook Hall Gardens
  • Crook Hall Gardens
  • Crook Hall Gardens
  • Flowers in the gardens at Crook Hall and Gardens
  • Image of the gardens
  • The Moat Pool at Crook Hall Gardens
  • The maze at 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 visit

Crook Hall Gardens is open daily 10am-5pm until 5th November, then 10am-4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 17 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 (paying as one group, pre booking required). Free admission for Tour Guides accompanying groups.
As an RHS partner garden, free admission is given to RHS individual members and 1 member on a joint membership.
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
1007 reviews
    • Excellent
      726
    • Very Good
      211
    • Average
      49
    • Poor
      11
    • Terrible
      10

    Recent Reviews:

    • Alan M
      Wetherby, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Beautiful gardens and location hidden near Durham
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 12th September 2023
      Probably the nicest gardens we have ever visited and we are RHS members !! Hidden away very close to the centre of Durham this is an oasis of calm. Round every corner is another different and... Read full review
    • Ian S
      Driffield, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Hidden gem a short walk from the centre of Durham
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 14th September 2023
      The gardens are lovely, especially the walled garden. A well thought-out and cared for place with plenty of shady seating to relax in or a eat a picnic. Definitely worth an hour or so of your time. Read full review
    • macy
      Durham, United Kingdom
      Nice gardens - awful coffee
      4 of 5 stars
      Monday, 18th September 2023
      Gardens are well kept and worth a visit. Doesn’t take long as it’s quite small but there are some places to sit and relax. Had a cappuccino which was one of the worst I’ve ever had. An enormous cup... 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.

    A barn roof The Garden Gate Café at Crook Hall GardensThe 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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