OCTOBER 2026
We’re closed now for winter maintenance work.
What do we do in OCTOBER?
. We’re moving slowly into autumn & the gardens are looking really lovely, but alas we have to get on with hedge cutting, pruning, clearing knee-deep leaves whilst they’re still dry – a lovely job on a sunny day but once they’re wet its quite a laborious task. However with the help of our trusty volunteers we’ll hope to make an impression & probably fill 4 or 5 dumpy bags to fill up the ‘Leaves only’ bay to break down into leaf mould to use on the gardens next year.
We hope to have a Pop Up open weekend for you to visit next month. We’ll leave the MURDER IN THE GARDEN in place until then.
WILDLIFE This years Robin chicks are almost fully grown & have learnt that instant crumbs are available from visitors using outdoor coffee areas. Our rescued Hedgehogs ‘ have settled in nicely & are ready & waiting at the feeding stations most evenings.
Dogs on short leads are welcome here in the outdoor gardens & sitting areas but only guide dogs are allowed inside the coffee shop.
Why not try our Heritage Apples & leave a donation for Guide Dogs for the blind?
LIKE TO JOIN OUR GARDEN BUDDIES TO VOLUNTEER HERE? WEDNESDAY MORNINGS 9.30-12.30. We provide tools, training & tea! Why not come along on TO FIND OUT MORE check out VOLUNTEERING Link above. NB Student Places have been filled for this season please email contact details & we’ll notify you if this changes.
MORE AWARD DETAILS ON ‘STOP PRESS’ ON OUR BLOG PAGE ..
RECORDING OF CHRISTINE WITH MARIAN FOSTER, HOST OF BBC RADIO NEWCASTLES ‘GARDEN MANIA’ NOV. 17th. ‘2024
Christine on Radio Nc’le talking Snowdrops with Marion Foster 9am-10pm Sunday 22nd Feb.
NB. FREE ENTRY INTO THE GARDENS FOR RHS MEMBERS ON THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS DURING ’26 (Not applicable for group visits)
TEAM BIRKHEADS BELOW CELEBRATING OUR RHS AWARD on Sunday eve after the surprise announcement from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). #RHS.org.Partner Gardens
Volunteer Opportunities. If you’d like to join the team, are fit enough to manage a wheelbarrow, enjoy spending time outdoors in all weathers, have practical skills or perhaps your a keen gardener without a garden & would like to help us keep this garden beautiful whenever your other commitments allow, we have a small group of volunteers who are very much appreciated & describe Birkheads as their ‘Happy Place”
See VOLUNTEERS PAGE for more details.
#Hedgehogs
Another 8 hedgehogs have joined Dimitri & Athena last month & have settled in well since they’ve been released into our gardens & Wildlife Corridor – Tawny Owls are noisy this week we hope that they’re viewing vacant properties in our garden. Red kites & Sparrow Hawks are spotted daily. Deer are still in the field adjoining us.
POP UP Events. If you’re on our e-newsletter mailing list you’ll be notified of all future events. Why not leave your email address in the ‘send newsletter’ box below or check here on Fridays?
Why not visit in spring ; – The coffee shop gardens are accessible to thirsty dogs & their owners – one family pet welcome – on a short lead please.
SOCIETIES / GROUPS (see GROUPS page) must be pre booked so that we can reserve multiple parking / coach places. Large groups please avoid Sundays. #Cycling Clubs welcome at any time we’re open. We’ve just installed bike racks for 8 cycles – next to outdoor covered coffee area. If you like what we’re doing why not tag us into your posts/selfies
The Secret Gardens were created by the present owners Christine & Mike Liddle working to improve the environment left by a heritage of coal mining and intensive farming. The gardens are a series of 14 inspirational gardens within a large rural garden, displaying a wide variety of hardy plants to provide colour, scent etc. to suit the wide range of diverse conditions found here.
The 3 acre gardens are situated in rural Gateshead between Beamish Open Air Museum & the Tanfield Steam Railway.
You can enjoy the gardens, enjoy the views & look for inspiration.
WHY NOT check out this ‘FABULOUS NORTH review ? https://fabulousnorth.com/birkheads-secret-garden
VIEW OUR COOKIES AND PRIVACY POLICY
