A Triumph of Tulips 

Spring has truly begun and what better place to enjoy it than a visit to a garden open for the National Garden Scheme charities, opening for two days at the end of April into May. Wretham Lodge, in South Norfolk which has been open for many years for the scheme, is opening for two consecutive days. A bank holiday treat for all the family. 

Many of our gardens are also open ‘By Arrangement’ which means clubs, groups or a party of friends can book directly with the owner for a private tour. Why not enjoy a special visit, details of which can be found on website:  www.ngs.org.uk 

Sunday 30^th April and Monday 1^st May (11-5) Wretham Lodge, East Wretham, Thetford, IP24 1RL. Adm £5.00 Chd free. Tea served in the church close by. Ten-acre garden where an abundance of spring flowers grow including many varieties of tulips.   Double herbaceous border, a woodland walk, and a traditional walled garden. 

Wretham has been opening for the National Garden Scheme for over thirty years and garden owner Gordon Alexander says that “a slightly later opening this year should see the tulips at their best.” 

Children go free so you can enjoy an inexpensive day out with the family,  in a beautiful green space. 

Before setting out to visit a garden it is advisable to check our website for UpToDate information. You can pay cash at the gate or purchase prebooked tickets from:  www.ngs.org.uk 

About National Garden Scheme 

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for some of the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.  

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors we have donated more than £67 million to our beneficiary charities, and in 2022 made donations of £3.11 million. Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, we are now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK and our beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.  

The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – we are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. We fund projects which promote gardens and gardening as therapy, and in 2017, we launched our annual Gardens and Health Week to raise awareness of the topic. Our funding also supports the training of gardeners and offers respite to horticultural workers who have fallen on difficult times. 

To find your perfect garden, visit www.ngs.org.uk download the National Garden Scheme app or purchase the National Garden Scheme’s Garden Visitor’s Handbook, which is published annually and available via www.ngs.org.uk/shop and at all good book retailers. 

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