In July 2022 the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded £230,000 towards the restoration of the last remnant of what was once a huge 6-acre kitchen garden that for two centuries provided fruit and vegetables for the Baker-Cresswell family and their estate workers. The walled garden sits alongside the 14th century Pele Tower which has been restored and opened to visitors in July 2021. With the help of a dedicated group of local volunteers, the derelict garden is being transformed into a community garden for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

The revamped garden will include fully accessible paths, a greenhouse, a cold frame, a wildlife-friendly pond and an events pavilion. Herbaceous borders will be created together with raised planters for growing herbs and vegetables. Dozens of fruit trees will also be planted to recreate a traditional orchard. It is also planned to have a number of bee hives sited within the garden, and already around a dozen volunteers are training to be beekeepers.

In addition to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we would also like to thank the following organisations and individuals who have also funded the garden restoration: 

1. Parkdean Resorts who own the land on which the garden is sited
2. CELL Big Local
3. North of Tyne Combined Authority
4. County Councillor Scott Dickinson and
5. Northumberland County Council