The wildlife and garden at Gibside

A deer in frosty grass itching its face with its leg. — A roe deer in the frost at Gibside | © National Trust/Tony Blackett

From peaceful strolls through the Walled Garden to walks along the winding river and wildlife spotting in the ancient woodlands, there are many ways to experience nature at Gibside.

A Georgian landscape garden

Gibside is a Georgian landscape garden, an early expression of the natural movement. Although some features like the tree-lined Avenue feel formal, the design of Gibside was inspired by Stephen Switzer's work, which moved away from formality and took on a naturalistic approach.

Eighteenth century landscape gardens were influenced by the liberalism of Whig politics and the idealism of classical art. They were designed to imitate nature, to arouse emotions with ‘wow’ moments and create a sensory experience.

As you roam around Gibside, you'll witness this artificial imitation of nature, using colour, light and shape. Meandering paths of dark foliage open to reveal spectacular vista views, and architecture is highlighted by amphitheatres which surprise the wanderer on their journey.

Green plants in a gloomy greenhouse. — Seedlings growing in the greenhouses at Gibside | © National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes

What is growing in winter?

The red of holly and yew berries against their dark green leaves provide festive colour in December.

The varied colours and textures of bark and stems provide winter colour and interest in the landscape. Dogwood stems emerge a fiery bright red, silver birch shine grey in the woodland and giant sequoia stand stately with their huge craggy trunks.

Winter is a great time to appreciate the evergreen trees that form the structure of the Georgian landscape garden. Notice the ancient tree lines of yew, pine, laurel and cedar and the way they were planted intentionally to frame the views.

Catch a glimpse of the first, bold flowers of late winter. The bright white of snowdrops in the icehouse woods and by the Chapel, the yellow of winter aconites and the purple of iris reticulata remind us that Spring is on its way. Graceful hellebores flower in the borders surrounding the Orangery and the Walled Garden.
There’s enough winter veg in the Walled Garden for an abundant winter roast dinner. Red cabbage, parsnips, radicchio and rainbow chard withstand winter frosts, as do evergreen herbs like rosemary and sage. Hardy vegetables like brussels sprouts and purple sprouting broccoli taste sweeter as a result of the cold.

As fruit trees sit dormant in winter, the garden team prune the huge collection of apple trees in the Walled Garden, as well as gooseberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants.

Willow, hazel and birch are coppiced in the colder months. Come spring, their branches will be used as plant supports in the garden.

The gardeners plant bulbs in November and December that will create a rainbow of colour in spring. These include daffodils, tulips, crocuses and alliums.
Birds and small mammals rely on competitive food sources to survive the harsh weather. See tits and finches foraging from grasses, wildflowers and garden plants like echinacea, rudbeckia and sunflowers.

Predators must also compete for their next meal. Red kite and buzzard soar overhead and elusive fox, stoat, weasel and badger hunt through the night.

Spot migratory birds in the fields and hedgerows. Winter visitors like waxwings can be seen feeding on rowan and hawthorn berries. Fieldfares and redwings enjoy feasting on iconic mistletoe berries.

Small birds, which in spring will be camouflaged by emerging leaves, are easier to see amongst bare branches. Try looking out for the iconic gold stripe of a goldcrest or cosy flocks of long-tailed tits.

Landscape garden tours

In the eighteenth century it was a fashionable pastime for the wealthy to tour around Britain on holiday, visiting stately homes and gardens. Gibside was a popular destination and George Bowes wanted to astound his guests with his landscape garden.

Visualise the Georgian grandeur of Gibside by walking in the footsteps of George Bowes. Learn about the early expression of the natural movement and why landscape garden design was fashionable on a landscape garden tour. Find out more.

Enjoy garden tours? After your visit to Gibside, discover Crook Hall Gardens on a garden tour every Friday at 11am.

Spotting winter wildlife

At Gibside you'll find tree dwelling wildlife from birds and squirrels to hundred-legged insects. Get closer to the waters edge to spot otters and amphibian pondlife or look for signs of roe deer and nocturnal beasts like badgers and bats.

Redwing spotted at Gibside | © National Trust Images/Justin Minns

Spot migrating birds

Birds like redwings and fieldfares migrate to the UK in autumn from Scandinavia, Russia and Iceland to escape the harsh winter. Spot flocks of birds feeding on berries in hedgerows and fields.

Close up of a bat's face. — Common pipistrelle bat | © National Trust Images/Chris Damant

Learn about bat behaviour

Gibside supports 9 different species of bats, who live all across the site including in the ruin of Gibside Hall. Bat box surveys happen throughout autumn, after the pups have emerged. Bats are counted and ringed to monitor their populations. By November, bats start going into hibernation to save energy over winter.

Otter in the river bank | © National Trust Images/John Hubble

Catch a glimpse of otters at play

When the weather turns cooler and wetter, it’s a good time to look for animal footprints in the soft ground or around the muddy edges of a body of water. Otters also leave slipways made by belly sliding into the river. If you're lucky you might see otter pups emerging from their den and learning to dive for food with their mother.