Alnwick poison garden features in new Guiness World Record book!

Ahead of Halloween, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR), the global authority on record-breaking achievements, is celebrating one of Britain's most unusual record holders, as Northumberland's famous Alnwick Poison Garden receives its official certificate for the most species of plant in a poison garden, with an extraordinary 97 toxic and narcotic species.

Hidden behind imposing black iron gates marked with skull-and-crossbones warnings, the garden is home to a collection of plants that visitors are strictly forbidden from touching, tasting or even smelling.

To celebrate the achievement, official GWR adjudicator Will Munford visited the attraction earlier this month to present its official certificate, with the occasion captured in newly filmed footage and photographs.

The remarkable collection is also featured in the newly released GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2027 book.

Beautiful, bizarre and potentially deadly

Some of the plants inside the Poison Garden might look perfectly at home in an ordinary British garden. But beyond the gates, familiar favourites sit alongside some of the world's most notorious botanical specimens.

Among them are foxgloves and deadly nightshade, as well as the infamous gympie-gympie, an Australian stinging tree whose sting has been likened to an electric shock.

Considered particularly hazardous, the gympie-gympie is kept in a locked protective enclosure to prevent visitors from coming into contact with its stinging hairs.

The collection also includes giant hogweed, a plant capable of causing severe skin reactions, alongside dozens of other species with fascinating - and sometimes sinister - histories.

The Poison Garden was created by Jane Percy, Duchess of Northumberland, who wanted to explore the darker side of horticulture.

“Apothecary gardens tend to focus on the curative properties of plants whereas I was focusing on how they could kill. I wanted to include plants which had great stories of death behind them,” the Duchess explained.

Opened in 2005, the Poison Garden has become one of The Alnwick Garden's best-known attractions.

Look, but don't touch

Despite its unsettling reputation, the Poison Garden has a serious purpose: educating visitors about the dangers, uses and histories of poisonous plants.

Entry is only permitted on guided tours, with strict rules against touching, picking, tasting or smelling anything inside. Some of the most hazardous specimens are kept securely enclosed to protect visitors from accidental contact.

Lachlan Rae, Head Gardener at The Alnwick Garden, said:

“Truthfully, all plants in the Poison Garden carry risk and we act accordingly. Some are more benign or carry less obvious immediate danger, but we do have some absolute shockers in the garden.”

As The Alnwick Garden celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the Poison Garden continues to challenge visitors' perceptions of the natural world, proving that some of the most beautiful plants can also be among the most dangerous.

And with Halloween just days away, there's perhaps no better time to discover the extraordinary stories lurking behind its famous black gates.

Will Munford, Official Guinness World Records Adjudicator, said:

“It's not every day you present a Guinness World Records certificate surrounded by plants that could potentially kill you! The Alnwick Poison Garden is a truly fascinating place, and recognising 97 different species of poisonous and narcotic plants makes this a particularly unusual achievement.

“It's brilliant to see the garden featured in the new Guinness World Records 2027 book, which celebrates extraordinary record-breaking achievements from around the world. This is a wonderful example of how records can be found in the most unexpected places, and there's certainly no better time than Halloween to celebrate this one!”

What else you’ll find featured in the book:

• This edition goes green! From the dazzling neon-green cover, to a spotlight on GWR’s biggest green stars including frogs, emeralds, Yoda, the Incredible Hulk and Wicked’s Elphaba
• Meet eight more incredible young achievers - under 16s that are defying their age to break remarkable records
• The newly selected GWR ICONS are unveiled - record holders who embody the spirit of record breaking who are rewriting the rulebook in their respective fields

Also out now:

Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition 2027 is back with editor, Alice Bell. Ideal for younger readers and generalist video gamers, with all your favourite characters and games - from Mario and Link to Minecraft and Fortnite

This year's 'global gaming' theme takes a globetrotting adventure through continents, so readers can learn about their favourite games and the cultures behind them

Guinness World Records: Football Edition 2027 is back for a second year with editor, Tom Beckerlegge.

Featuring hundreds of new and updated records, plus all the action from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Meet the Class of ‘27 – our selection of soccer’s hottest young record-breaking talent, including Olivia Smith, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal