Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, at South Walsham, has opened a small provisions shop in its tearoom to provide ‘essential essentials’ for local residents and visitors on boating and self-catering holidays in the area.

Louise Rout, Fairhaven Garden Manager explained: “We were very sad when our village shop closed last September. Some villagers asked us if we were going to run a shop, but we don’t have enough room. However when visitors on boating holidays came up from South Walsham Broad at Easter and asked if we sold bread or milk, we decided that we would experiment with a small range of ‘essential essentials’ for visitors on holiday and also our local residents. If demand grows, we can always expand the range and bring in items like cut ham.”

Provisions on sale include bread, milk, tea, eggs, baked beans, sugar, baby wipes, toilet rolls, juice and Norfolk Raider cider.

The shop is open daily from 9.15am to 5pm; also open until 9pm on Wednesdays, from May until the end of August.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham NR13 6DZ, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, half way between Norwich and Great Yarmouth. T. 01603 270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk