It is not a secret that plants help humanity survive. But not every plant is pleasant and useful. At Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England, there is a poisonous garden containing some very dangerous plants.
Photo: Amanda Slater/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)
Alnwick Castle, the garden near which is poisonous
This collection of poisonous plants is found behind black steel bars in Northumberland, England. It grows about 100 killer plants. There is the hemlock with which Socrates was killed, and the deadly but beautiful belladonna.
For absolutely obvious reasons, the garden can be visited with a guide only
Photo: Jo Jakeman/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Alnwick Garden was founded in 1750 by Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland. For this purpose, he hired an English landscape designer. And the 3rd Duke was an avid plant collector. He collected garden seeds all over the world.
During the time of the 4th Duke of Northumberland, the garden looked majestic. It had an Italian section, a large conservatory, trimmed yew trees, linden alleys, and many flowers.
Before poisonous plants appeared here, it was just a luxurious garden
To provide food during the Second World War, the garden was destroyed. However, Jane Percy, Duchess of Northumberland, decided in 1997 to restore it. It cost her 42 million pounds.
Gorgeous Poison Ivy tunnel
Photo: Graeme/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)
The garden with intoxicating and poisonous plants was opened in February 2005. The main purpose of it is to acquaint people with poisonous plants, to show what they look like, and what can happen after “communication” with them. Completely different plants grow in the garden, both very poisonous and partially poisonous.
For educational purposes only
Photo: Amanda Slater/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)
Today, the garden can be visited by fans of creepy walks. Here you can explore the world of dangerous plants and, what is more important, learn which plants to avoid in the wild.
Photo: Amanda Slater/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)
Photo: madraban/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
Photo: Amanda Slater/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)
Photo: madraban/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
Photo: madraban/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
Photo: Paul Miller/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Photo: Amanda Slater/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)
Photo: smlp.co.uk/flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Alnwick Castle and Harry Potter
Significant public interest in the castle appeared after the release of the famous Harry Potter movie. It was this castle that was chosen as the place where the exterior and interiors of Hogwarts Castle were subsequently filmed.