The Alnwick Garden

A Victorian water tower, cunningly disguised to look like a castle gateway, once provided water for the walled garden at Alnwick Castle. In use until at least 1928, the tower was one of the many listed structures evaluated by Robin Kent Architecture & Conservation for the Duchess of Northumberland's innovative Alnwick Garden project.

The work included archival research into the historical development of the garden, revealing Nesfield's contribution; condition reports and photographic records of the extensive surrounding walls and other surviving structures, such as the remains of the second Duke's conservatory and boiler house, the ornamental pool, peach houses and the vineries. During the work an early eighteenth century boiler house was discovered (above right). Some of these historic structures can still be seen in the garden, which is once again a vibrant living site and one of the North of England's most popular visitor attractions.