• Twitter
  • Facebook
  • CONTACT US
  • GROUP BOOKINGS
  • VOLUNTEERING
  • ARBORETUM DATABASE
Howick Hall Gardens
  • Home
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Group Visits
    • Earl Grey Tea House
    • Things to See & Do
      • Family Explorer Challenge
      • Events
    • Access information
    • Where to Stay
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Prices & Opening Times
    • Gift Vouchers
  • The Hall
    • The History
    • Earl Grey and the Grey Family
    • The Visitor Centre
    • Functions
      • Weddings
      • Photoshoots and Filming
    • The Church
  • The Gardens
    • Bulbs
    • Silverwood
    • The Bog Garden
    • The Borders & Rockery Garden
    • The Sensory Garden
    • Trees in the Gardens
  • The Arboretum
    • Trees
    • Walks
      • Snowdrop Walks
      • Woodland Walks
      • Long Walk
    • Storm Arwen 2021
  • Menu

Storm Arwen struck the north-east coast on the night of 27 November 2021 with a maximum gust recorded locally of 98mph. It was the worst storm at Howick in living memory and has done extensive damage in the garden and woods. More than 200 mature hardwood trees were blown over as were some old conifers, and many more lost branches to the point where they will have to be taken down. The following points are worth noting:

The wind came from the north north-east, a most unusual direction here for a gale which normally comes from the west over the Atlantic; the root systems below the ground have grown to give protection from the west which meant that many trees were poorly defended.

The wind strength was extraordinary; we have had nothing like it for over 100 years.

The old oaks suffered most since their branches are more brittle; some survivors will have to be assessed to make sure they are safe to remain standing. The worst hit area is the oak plantation planted by Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, up the Back Drive and part of that is likely to remain closed to the public for some time.

The Hydrangea Garden suffered most. Two of the three 150 year old Corsican Pines blew over and landed right in the middle of three of the hydrangea beds. A 100 year Oriental Spruce nearby also blew over together with a mature Silver Maple from West Virginia in America. Most of the hydrangeas will come again from the bottom but that is unlikely to happen with the Eucryphias.

We are lucky to have access to expert advice. Charlie Erskine, one of our retired Trustees and a former Curator of the Arboretum at Kew (who had to deal with the aftermath of the famous October 1987 storm there) and David Knott, a new Trustee and Curator of the four gardens comprising the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, have both visited recently. Their main message is not to lose heart, simply work through the programme and remember that big machinery can do more damage than good, i.e. wait for the conditions to be right before bringing it in. We have, in fact, been very lucky with an unusually dry late winter and spring which has allowed us to make good progress with clearing up in the garden. We have taken the following steps:

All the paths in the garden and arboretum are clear and safe to use apart from the part of the Back Drive mentioned above, and a section of Sitka Spruce in the centre of the Long Walk which will stay closed.

We shall continue to deal with the work in-house; all the good contractors are up to their eyes in work but we hope to get some outside help (and machinery) early in the New Year.

We are getting a good service from our regular tree surgeons and they will be spending time here.

BUT, we shall not be in a hurry; it is all going to take a long time and we will only be working in the woods when the weather conditions are right in order to minimise further damage. The overarching message is that the interest of the plants comes first.

Development programmes in the garden have been halted for the time being. These will be restarted, probably early next year, even if it means extending the clear-up operation in outlying areas.

So, please do not be surprised to see fallen trees dotted about and obvious patches of storm damage; indeed, they may add to the interest of a visit for some. However, we do ask for some patience and understanding from visitors who expect tidiness!

WEATHER TODAY

OPENING TIMES

2023

EARLY SEASON

11th February to 31st March
OPEN DAILY 10.30am - last entry 4pm

MAIN SEASON
1st April  -  30th September
OPEN DAILY 10.30am - 6pm
(last entry 5pm)

LATE SEASON
1st Oct - 12th Nov (inclusive)
OPEN DAILY 10.30am - last entry 4pm

Please note:

The Visitor Centre and Rooms will close at 5:00pm main season and 4:00pm early and late season.

The Earl Grey Tea House is open to garden visitors only - last orders 5.30pm in main season, and 4.15pm in early and late seasons.

ADMISSION CHARGES

Day Tickets:

Adults: £9.90*
Over 60s: £8.80*
Children 5 - 16 years  £3.30*
Children 0 - 4 years FREE
Family (2 Adult + 2 Child)  £22.00*

Season Tickets:

Single £39.60*
Double £71.50*
Family (2 Adult + 2 Child)  £88.00*
*includes a 10% voluntary Gift Aid donation.                                                                                  SORRY, NO DOGS except Assistance Dogs.

ABOUT US

  • Access Information
  • Contact Us
  • Group Bookings
  • Volunteering
  • Privacy Policy
© Copyright - Howick Trustees Ltd | Website Design & Development by Enspire Design
  • Access Information
  • Contact Us
  • Group Bookings
  • Volunteering
  • Privacy Policy
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our site functions. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visist to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy Policy
Accept settingsHide notification only