The 3 best County Durham public gardens to visit revealed

The rankings come from a new study by White Stores, which analysed public gardens listed by the Royal Horticultural Society using Google ratings, climate data, visitor facilities, and the range of attractions on offer.

Topping the list in the North East is Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, which earned a score of 76.23 out of 100 and was praised for its facilities, including a wildflower meadow and expansive parkland.

Rob Mead, buying director at White Stores, said: “Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garden of their own to enjoy, but the UK is well known for its public gardens.

“There are hundreds dotted around the UK so anyone can enjoy a day out among the flowers.

“These gardens offer more than a great day out for a family of all ages, and they’re great inspiration for people looking to decorate their own outdoor spaces.”

The research highlighted County Durham’s strength in horticultural attractions, with the region securing all three of the top spots in the North East.

Raby Castle

In first place, Raby Castle, Park and Gardens received high marks for its welcoming facilities and natural beauty.

The site earned a Google rating of 4.6 from more than 3,700 reviews, reflecting public appreciation for its historical charm and serene setting.

See more about Raby Castle here: We take a look inside stunning new floral exhibition at County Durham castle

Raby Castle and The Rising development (Image: Contributor)

Durham University Botanic Garden

Taking second place with a score of 72.90, the Durham University Botanic Garden was recognised for its diversity, scoring 8.00 for variety.

The “underrated” 10-hectare Botanic Garden at Durham University is set amongst “beautiful” mature woodlands on the southern outskirts of Durham city and is open to the public.

It features a broad range of plant collections and educational exhibits and has 2,418 hours of annual sunlight.

Crook Hall Gardens

Crook Hall Gardens came third with a score of 65.12 and matched Raby Castle’s 4.6 Google rating.

Visitors praised its city-centre tranquillity and picturesque design, while its wildflower meadow contributed to a strong visitor review score of 8.54.

Crook Hall Gardens (Image: PA MEDIA)

Other North East highlights

Gateshead’s Birkheads Secret Gardens and Northumberland’s Bide-a-Wee Cottage Gardens completed the top five.

Birkheads was noted for its “coffee shop” charm and plant variety, though Raby Castle was still considered to offer the most extensive facilities for families and groups.

The study also highlighted the region’s focus on biodiversity, with four of the top five gardens in the North East featuring wildflower meadows.

Wider findings showed that the North East has five gardens listed in the study, compared to 37 in the South East and 36 in the South West.