Opened in January 2005, the construction of one of the world’s largest wooden tree houses was an opportunity to make The Alnwick Garden an unrivalled experience for everyone. A place to learn, play and relax, The Treehouse is a 6,000 sq ft complex of turret topped cottages linked by suspended walkways, high in the trees outside the walls of the main garden.

Access is via a ramp and so The Treehouse, its rope bridges and walkways in the sky are accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users.

The Treehouse has been built using natural materials from sustainable resources including Canadian Cedar, Scandinavian Redwood and English and Scots pine, and the quirky design is so at home in its environment that it appears as if The Treehouse has been there for many years. Visitors can experience, at close quarters, the world of trees - the filtering sun through a leaf canopy and swaying, creaking branches over, under and around them.

The Treehouse includes two resource rooms, the Nest and the Roost, which is equipped with the latest technology to host The Garden’s learning programmes. There’s also a timber-decked veranda and at the heart of The Treehouse is a wonderful place to eat.

During the day, visitors must hold a valid admissions ticket for The Garden to access The Treehouse.

The unique dining experience on offer in The Treehouse is nothing if not unusual. The roaring log fire in the centre of the room, the living tree complete with green leaves growing through the restaurant, the fascinating craftsmanship which has created screens from fallen branches and the dimmed lighting combine to create an other-wordly, magical environment.

The delicious menus include a fantastic range of locally sourced produce, helping The Garden encourage and support local producers.

The Treehouse is open daily for light lunches and refreshments between 11.30am and 3pm, and for teas and coffees from 3pm (no reservations). The Treehouse is open for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm, with last orders taken at 9.30pm. Booking for dinner is recommended (01665 511852), although you can come along and soak up the atmosphere while you have a drink and wait for a table.

The Treehouse is also available for hire. Click here for information.

The Alnwick Garden Trust are currently fundraising for the next phase of The Treehouse’s development; an exciting tree-based adventure play area which will be accessible to children of all ages and abilities.

Although the play area is still in the planning stages with the final design yet to be confirmed, we do know that it will set a new standard in the quality of play facilities. Designed to be ‘safely dangerous’, the play area will incorporate a maze of rope bridges, platforms and aerial walkways, with wheelchair access. At various levels there will be activities that take place across the natural small ravine, and a designated area for the under 5s and for the severely disabled. Much of this will be a covered space, and The Treehouse area will then accommodate over 1000 people.

Make a Donation

• Be part of the garden