About the Open Gardens for St. John Ambulance in Norfolk
This year sees the opening of several private gardens in Norfolk throughout the summer in order to raise funds for St. John Ambulance in Norfolk & Waveney.
As these are mostly private gardens please be aware that toilet facilities and wheelchair access may be limited.
Entry money may be by card but wifi is not always available so please bring cash, particularly for the refreshments and plants!
Contact: 07767 327257 or email Georgina.Holloway@sja.org.uk
Elmham House & Silverstone Farm
Date & Time: Sunday 10th May – Open 12pm to 5pm
Address: North Elmham, Dereham, NR20 5JY and NR20 5EX
Admission: Adults £10 for both gardens, Children free
Refreshments: Homemade refreshments at Elmham House
Dogs: Dogs on leads welcome
An opportunity to see two completely different gardens a couple of miles apart.
Elmham House is set in parkland with a shrubbery of azaleas, rhododendrons and many specimen trees.
The 18th century walled garden has a collection of old English apples, other fruit and vegetables.
Terraces and lawns surround the house; an ice-house, dovecote and venison larder (now a chapel along the Walsingham Pilgrimage route) will be open.
In contrast the dramatic garden at Silverstone Farm is the creation of the well known designer and author George Carter and has featured in magazines and television.
It is based on Dutch and English 17th century a pool and hedges. It is mostly green, incredibly peaceful and with a theatrical feel.
Directions: Elmham House is on the B1110 opposite the church and Silverstone Farm is north of the B1145 at
Brisley on the Gateley Road.
What3words: //provider.returms.twinkling and //unsigned.attract.muffin
Besthorpe Hall
Date & Time: Sunday 17th May – Open 12pm to 5pm
Address: Attleborough, NR17 2LJ
Admission: Adults £6, Children free
Refreshments: Homemade refreshments
Dogs: Dogs on leads welcome
The gardens surround the Hall which is the remaining part of a much larger 16th century brick building.
The approach is down a tree lined drive with a modern water feature in the forecourt.
Two main garden areas are bounded by old Tudor brick walls with decorative gateways and there are extensive lawns with cylindrical clipped yew trees.
Large mixed borders of shrubs, herbaceous flowers and a mass of roses have been replanted over the past few years.
Directions: 1 mile east of Attleborough on the Bunwell road, next to Besthorpe church.
What3words: //stubborn.worth.deleting.
Hoe Hall
Date & Time: Sunday 31st May – Open 12pm to 5pm
Address: Hoe, Dereham, NR20 4BD
Admission: Adults £6, Children free
Refreshments: Homemade refreshments
Dogs: Assistance dogs only please
A spectacular white wisteria walk running the full length of a mixed shrub and herbaceous border in the walled garden is the main feature of this lovely garden.
The Hall, with views over parkland, is situated next to St. Andrew’s Church in the small village and has other areas of planting including a rose parterre, espaliered fruit trees and other borders and seasonally planted pots.
Directions: Turn of the B1110 at Gorgate signposted Hoe. The entrance is on the left after 1 mile. Or approach from the Dereham/Swanton Morley road.
What3words: //civil.chap.trespass.
Elsing Hall
Date & Time: Saturday 6th June – Open 12pm to 5pm
Address: Elsing, Dereham, NR20 4DX
Admission: Adults £8, Children free
Refreshments: Homemade refreshments
Dogs: Assistance dogs only please
The hall, a moated manor house built around 1470, is set in a small park with many specimen trees and was occupied by one family for nearly 500 years.
The 20 acre garden was established nearly 50 years ago and is constantly developing.
Features are a unique gingko tree avenue, a pinetum, walled and formal gardens and a mass of planting round the lake with a viewing mound at one end.
The outstanding feature in June is the spectacular multitude of scented old English roses throughout the garden.
This is a peaceful and beautiful location described as one of the hidden treasures of East Anglia.
Directions: 15 miles west of Norwich between the A47 at Dereham and A1067 at Bawdeswell. Signs are in place.
What3words: //other.music.unafraid
The Bishops House
Date & Time: Sunday 12th July – Open 1pm to 4.30pm
Address: Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1SB
Admission: Adults £6, Children free
Refreshments: Homemade refreshments & plants sales area
Dogs: Dogs on leads welcome
The oldest private garden in Norwich is full of delights including dramatic double borders backed by cloud-pruned yew, productive kitchen garden, rose and hosta walk, wildflower labyrinth with a 400 year old pear tree at its heart and a jungle walk through towering exotic plants.
The Bishop of Norwich’s historic garden is run organically and includes many rare and unusual plants,with a hebe grown from a sprig from Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet.
The ancient garden continues to evolve every year.
Directions: Use City car parks, the closest being behind the Adam & Eve pub.
Turn onto Bishopgate from Palace Street and through the archway.
What3words: //terms.diary.path
Severals Grange
Date & Time: Sunday 6th September – Open 1pm to 4.30pm
Address: Wood Norton, NR20 5BL
Admission: Adults £5, Under 16’s & wheelchair users free
Refreshments: Homemade refreshments & large plants sales area
Dogs: Assistance dogs only please
The garden is the home of the well known former nurser Hoecroft Plants.
Many of the unusual grasses and foliage they specialised in feature in the gardens, which have been developed from bare fields over a span of 30 years.
The 2 acres have challenging ground with full sun to deep shade, wet pond to dry gravel and invading wildlife, but there is a substantial variety of plants including alpines, perennials, hostas and shrubs.
The new borders are more formal giving a contrast with an exciting mix of plants in block of bold splashes throughout the summer and early autumn.
Directions: About 2 miles north of Guist on the B1110 Holt road, the entrance is on the left.
What3words: //hedge.segments.diplomas.
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