In the centre of Durham,Crook Hall is one of the few urban wild gardens found in this guide. The Jacobean and Georgian hall is enclosed by five acres of gardens. Just as the Hall has many facets owing to the mix of architectural styles, so does the garden. There are wildflower meadows, a fernery, and walled kitchen and secret gardens. Approached by an ivy-hung door in the wall, the Secret Garden is believed to be over 700 years old. Both Wordsworth and Ruskin are said to have walked its narrow paths and today it remains a secluded jumble of deep borders filled with knobbly old fruit trees and cottage garden plants.
