It dates from the 17th century, and it is listed Grade II in Historic England's Register of Parks and Gardens.

[1] The estate, first mentioned in the 12th century, was appropriated by Robert Neville, Bishop of Durham, in 1443, and given to Kepier Hospital.

In 1787 William Hutchinson described the gardens as a place of public recreation, where concerts were held on summer evenings.

[1] His descendant Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry sold the gardens and the Pineapple Inn in 1918 to Victor Mazzini Walton, an artist and ice cream maker, and the gardens remained a pleasure ground, with features including tennis courts and a putting green.

In 1985 the gardens were sold to Durham City Council; they were restored, and replanted according to the historic layout.