Eachwick hall, near Newcastle opened it’s gardens yesterday for the first time in forty years. Raising money for the British Red Cross society with not only rather good homemade cakes, scones and teas but also the upbeat world folk sounds of the Cherry Pickers playing live (find them on Facebook). The gardens are a blend of kitchen and walled cottage styles surrounded by beautiful mature trees and a newly established arboretum and lake. The copper beech tree (pictured) seems worthy of champion tree status to me, it really is a magnificent specimen. Other trees of note include their Acers. So far the arboretum contains mainly coniferous specimens from what I was able to see. I hope they’ll consider some autumn colour from Liquidambar and Nyssa and possibly a Davidii involucrata or some Gingkoes for general interest. The glasshouse and nesting blackbird was home to a thriving apricot tree and what looks to be a good crop of grapes. Not bad for the north east of England. Overall the grounds have a lovely feel to them. The spring colour sang out from a variety of rhododendron flower colours combined with trees, freshly dressed in their vibrant May coats of colourful leaves. It made for a gorgeous backdrop to the stone hall, which was itself draped in the hanging flowers of wisteria. Well worth a visit if it opens again and a strong example of a well laid out garden which retains a naturalistic harmony with it’s surroundings.