Weird Traveler: The Poison Garden
In the land of the mythical lore of dragons, wizards, and phantoms, and a history rich with immortalized monarchs and endless wars lies a small garden with an enchantingly wicked twist. The Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle is one of the most popular tourist destinations in England for those who love to take a walk on the dangerous side. Inside this beautifully landscaped garden, hosts a collection of over 100 very beautiful and yet incredibly toxic plants, most being killers. Don’t touch or sniff signs fill this garden as a reminder to all of those who take a stroll, that even the simplest of plants can be the deadliest.
“Visitors are strictly prohibited from smelling, touching, or tasting any plants, although some people still occasionally faint from inhaling toxic fumes while walking in the garden.”- From Alnwick Castle
The sign on the black iron gate as you enter says, “These plants can kill”, and it’s decorated with a skull and crossbones as a warning for all those who venture in.
Why is such a poisonous garden located in the heart of Northumberland? Inspired by a visit to one of the Medici family’s old villas, which housed a section of the garden with poisonous plants, the Dutchess of Northumberland wanted to create a unique garden of her own. She wanted an apothecary garden on the grounds to educate children on plant life but also wanted to take it to the next level.
In 2005, she gathered over 100 types of poisonous plants such as ones that produce cyanide, death, and one of the more dangerous plants cultivated here, monkshood, which contains a neurotoxin and cardiotoxin. It’s not just the medicinal or deadly properties of her plants in which the Duchess has an interest, but also her fascination with their aphrodisiac properties. Each of the plants comes with an unusual history, which often engages its visitors even deeper into its dark labyrinth.
To this day, the workers who tend these gardens wear full hazmat suits, gloves, and masks to make sure they don’t inhale, ingest, or touch any toxins.
Are you brave enough to venture into this incredibly wicked and deadly garden? Alnwick Poison Garden is open throughout the year for visitors and is a FREE tour that is included in your garden ticket. However, you’re only allowed to enter this garden on a guided tour, which runs every 20-30 minutes throughout the day. They even make sure to give you a breakdown of safety tips while you stroll the gardens. They want to make sure all those who wonder don’t get lost.
