A hidden garden is to reveal its secrets

Jun 6 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

VILLAGER Penny Norton has devoted decades to a walled garden which was designed by one of Britain’s greatest architects.

Now Penny, who lives at Whalton Manor in the Northumbrian village of Whalton with husband Timothy, is opening their private three-acre garden to groups of visitors.

The aim is to build up a gardens circuit in Northumberland which would attract more group visits from outside the region and persuade people to stay longer.

Whalton Manor was created in 1908 by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The architect was also working on the conversion of Lindisfarne Castle into a rural retreat for Edward Hudson, the owner of Country Life magazine.

At Whalton he fashioned a garden with two summerhouses, a pergola and terraces. The garden features herbaceous borders, old roses, laburnum orchard and stone-paved courtyard.

“Architecturally it is a very interesting garden and is planted in country-house style,” said Penny.

“I put a huge amount into the garden and it occupies all of my time in the summer.

“Visitors will help offset the cost of running such a large garden.

“Keeping gardens like this going is very expensive, and I also thought it was a shame to put all this effort into the garden and not share it with people.

“There is a great interest in garden visiting and groups could slot in a trip to Whalton as well as visiting The Alnwick Garden.”

Penny is part of a group of women who have called themselves the Passionate Gardeners, and include Jane Torday at the Garden Station at Langley, Elaine Perry at the Dilston Physic Garden, Heather Russell, who has Bolam Cottage Gardens and Ginny Fairfax at Mindrum, near Wooler.

“There is such beautiful countryside between the gardens of Northumberland and the aim is encourage groups to come to the county and enjoy both,” said Penny.

She is working with Newcastle excursion company AFM Travel and Corbridge-based group travel operators Steve Reed Tourism.

Groups can book a tour of Whalton garden by appointment on (01670) 775205.