Birkheads Secret Garden

The Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden for North of England & N. Ireland Award Winner. Votes were submitted by visitors: 'It's a rural cottage garden with a wow factor of something of interest around every corner.' 'We stop there every time we head north or south on holiday to explore the gardens, see their new developments, have delicious food & we're suitably chilled before re-joining the A1(M) for the remainder of our journey.' Locals say it's their 'Happy Place'.

The cottage overlooks long vistas, five ponds, formal gardens, curved informal borders linking individual gardens as you pass by the Railway Herb Garden, Woodland, Bee & Butterfly Slate Circle, a no-dig border, Apple Orchard, Wildflower Meadow, Meditation Garden & Beach Garden. There is a popular Coffee Shop serving light lunches & sweet treats, freshly prepared to order. Bacon Butties are top favourites with Cyclists using the Bowes C11 path. There's a covered seating area in the old walled garden to enjoy the birds & wildlife with a tranquil coffee & another area in the old house (1830's) garden. The gardens started with a bare field and us being keen to be green, aiming to redress the balance of nature especially for the huge list of birds, that had disappeared during mining, without it 'costing the earth' environmentally. Our gardens are now a biodiverse collection of hardy plants, suitable for all garden conditions, many unobtainable elsewhere locally & all produced here on site.

Timings

Friday 11 September:

1100-1500. Tour: 1100

Saturday 12 September:

1100-1500. Tour: 1100

Sunday 13 September:

1100-1500. Tour: 1100

Thursday 17 September:

1100-1500. Tour: 1100

Friday 18 September:

1100-1500. Tour: 1100

Saturday 19 September:

1100-1500. Tour: 1100

Sunday 20 September:

1100-1500. Tour: 1100

Location & directions

5 Birkheads Cottages, Near Sunniside, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE165EL

Directions:

From A1m take A693 or A692 follow Brown Tourist Signs for Birkheads from A6076 between Stanley ( Causey Arch ) & Sunniside ( Potters Wheel ph) Gateshead. Our carpark is one mile from the junction.Please Car share whenever possible. There is an additional public car park opp the Tanfield Steam Railway. & a Bus Service Newcastle - Stanley Alight at Tanfield Railway. Access from the Bowes Cycle Path C11 is a 20 minute scenic walk. in So. Shields direction.) Cycle Parking outside our Coffee Shop. Leave the C11 at Birkheads Cottages on your right, the Secret Gardens are 50m downhill through the white gate of the last cottage. Also Additional parking at Hedley Hall Woodland Trust. Turn right out of carpark & half a mile walk along road/ narrow lane.

Contact on day:

C. Liddle

Telephone number:

+447778447920

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Tours take place at 1100 each day. Please book at least 3 days in advance. by emailing [email protected]

Booking contact name:

Christine Liddle

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking opens:

02 Sep 2026 10:10 AM

Booking closes:

16 Sep 2026 11:00 AM

Accessibility details

Access from the car park is on a slight incline with gravel paths, so sorry but the site is unsuitable for scooters & some wheelchairs. Uneven surfaces throughout. Steps & in some gardens. Ponds- children must be accompanied. No unsupervised children under 18yrs. Single dogs on short leads only please & Sensible footwear recommended. Parking is limited to 20 cars in this rural attraction please car share & arrive early or use one of the suggested alternative means of access.

Additional information

Tours 11am-noonon Thursdays & Free to roam visits between 1100-1500. Last Entry to Coffee Shop 14.45.

Max number of people:

10

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s)

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