June is the peak month of Garden visiting in Norfolk for the National Gardens Scheme(NGS). There will be an incredible 20 gardens opening ranging in size from small town plots to large country estates.

The highlight of the month is the “Garden Festival Weekend” on June 7th and 8th when hundreds of other gardens will be open throughout England and Wales in an effort to raise more money for the NGS nursing and caring charities. Norfolk has four gardens which will be participating, Shorelands Wildlife Gardens in Langmere near Diss on Saturday 7th June and is a garden which has something for visitors of all ages including innovative planting schemes, rare trees and shrubs and masses of wildlife. Owners Ben and Sarah Potterton are famed for their free roaming animals from rare breed poultry to groups of free range monkeys!

On Sunday 8^th you can view two lovely rural gardens for the price of one at West View in East Ruston and nearby at The Old Rectory in Ridlington where you can enjoy home-made teas, listen to the Stalham brass band and for children there is a treasure hunt. Wood Hill, Gressenhall is also open and is a great example of a family garden which has plenty of interesting features which are both old and new.

On Sunday 22^nd The Grange in Heydon is the place to go for colourful herbaceous borders and a brilliant display of climbing roses tumbling over the ancient brick walls of this 17th century gem. All set in the idyllic village of Heydon which is well worth a leisurely stroll.

To complete the month a newly listed garden for the NGS is  Brinton Grange near Melton Constable which opens on the 29^th June, where the owners have created a garden full of interest with formal and informal areas, a wooded walk and walled vegetable garden plus much more!

These are just a few of the gardens opening in this busy month along with the other long established favourite Norfolk gardens. Full information about opening times and garden details can be found in the Yellow Norfolk Garden Guide available from your local tourist information centre, garden centre or nursery. There are also full details available at  www.ngs.org.uk

The NGS raises money to support nursing and caring charities and if you feel that your garden is of interest and of a good standard and would like to open for the NGS,or you would like to volunteer,  please Contact County Organiser Fiona Black to discuss opening your garden.  Tel 01692 650247

Notes: 

• Founded in 1927, the NGS gave £2.5 million to nursing and other caring charities in 2013 from money raised by opening more than 3800 private gardens in England and Wales.
• Charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme this year include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices, The Carers Trust and Parkinson’s UK.
  
• Visitors to the NGS website can use the online ‘garden search’ tool to find out which NGS gardens are open on specific dates and within chosen areas throughout the year.
• The free NGS iOS app for iPhone and iPad will allow visitors to see what’s on and share garden opening details with friends via Facebook and Twitter.

 

Sunday 1^st June

OULTON HALL 

Oulton, Aylsham NR11 6NU Open 1-5 Adm £5, chd free.  

C18 manor house (not open) and clock tower set in 6-acre garden with lake and woodland walks. Chelsea designer’s own garden.

Thursday 5th June 

SHERINGHAM PARK 

Upper Sheringham NR26 8TL. Open 10-5£4.80 for non NT members,car park charge payable. 80 acres of species rhododendron, azalea and magnolia. Also numerous specimen trees incl handkerchief tree. Viewing towers, waymarked walks, sea and parkland views. No adm charge to Sheringham Park, , Special walkway and WCs for disabled. 1½m route is assessable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters available to hire.

 

Saturday 7th June

SHORELANDS  WILDLIFE GARDENS, Langmere, Diss IP21 4QA

Open 10-5 Adm £4, chd £3.Light refreshments

Shorelands offers something for  visitors of all ages, borders overflowing with unusual perennials,  gravel beds with grasses and bulbs, shrubberies containing rare and unusual trees and a new edible  garden situated next to our collection

of rare breed poultry. The garden is predominantly known for its free roaming animals that incl flocks of cranes on the lawns and marmoset monkeys in the trees. Largest crane (Birds) breeder in the country, birds can bee seen on all lawns. Free

Range Monkeys! 4 groups of Marmosets and Tamarins free in the garden. Also open the Iris and Peony Festival, with Floral Art, Floral Displays and Specialist Nurseries. Garden owner is a BBC Radio Norfolk  Gardener. Featured in the local press

almost weekly throughout the Spring and Summer due to its animal collection. Visitors with wheelchairs can be dropped directly at the entrance ramp to the main gardens,all paths in the main garden are on grass. 

 

Sunday 8th June

THE OLD RECTORY, RIDLINGTON, NR28 9NZ

Open 12-5 adm £5, chd free Combined with West View. Home-made teas

A tranquil 2 acre garden around a former rectory. Established trees and some topiary. Mixed borders of shrubs, perennials, roses and bulbs, raised vegetable beds. A peaceful spot for a cup of tea! Children’s treasure hunt. BBQ 12-2. Gravel drive

WEST VIEW, East Ruston, nr Stalham NR12 9JN.

Open 12-5 Combined adm £5, chd free with The Old Rectory, Ridlington.

Home-made teas. 1 acre plantsmans garden incl borders with trees and shrubs

underplanted with carpets of hellebores and bulbs, pergolas with roses and clematis, greenhouse with many interesting plants, a summer border with mixed perennials, vegetable parterre, tropical border, orchard and pond.

 

WOOD HILL, GRESSENHALL NR19  2NR 

Open 12-5.30  Adm £4, chd free, Home-made teas  3 acres, the Garden is set in mature parkland, includes water features, statues/stones, lily pond, varied rose gardens, yew hedging, vegetable garden, lawns with floodlighting for mature hardwood trees. One of East Anglia’s oldest Tulip trees and beautiful oaks and copper Beech

 

Wednesday  11th June

CHAUCER BARN  Gresham, Nr Holt NR11 8RL. 

Open 2-6 Adm £3.50, chd free.Light refreshments  

5-acre garden created by owner over 20 years in ruins of farmyard. Uphill drive flanked by topiary leads to award winning barn conversion. Knot/herb garden leads to lawn flanked by walled herbaceous borders and pergola leading through contemporary topiary garden to stunning views over rolling hills to woodland. Woodland path leads downhill to wild flower meadow and young arboretum

 

Sunday 15th June

DAISY COTTAGE  Roughton, Norwich NR11 8AF.

Open 11-5  Adm £4, chd free.Light refreshments.

2 acre garden with areas dedicated for wildlife, incl stream, pond, bog garden and more formally a Japanese style garden with a thatched tea house. Among its features are herbaceous borders, vegetable garden and apiary, chickens and ducks. Produce and plants for sale. Bees and bugs in the garden demo. Featured on BBC Norfolk Radio garden party. Limited wheelchair access to pathed areas only.

 

THE DUTCH HOUSE Ludham NR29 5NS. 

Open2-5  Adm £4, chd free. Home-made teas.   

Romantic 2½ acre garden originally designed and planted by painter Edward Seago. Informal borders lead to wild areas of old fashioned roses and shrubs. Steep bridge and uneven paths through Marsh and Wood lead one to Womack water (limited access). Wheelchair access limited to main part of garden.

MANOR FARM HOUSE, Gayton  PE32 1QR. 

Open 12-5. Adm £4, chd free. Home-made teas.

Colourful, heavily planted cottage garden created 2001 on circa half acre plot ruined by major building work to house. Small gravel garden added 2002, courtyard garden and conservatory 2006. Land purchase in 2013 increased garden size by around 40% and work continues to integrate and plant up the new plot. Garden changes constantly as owner progresses from non-gardener to garden fanatic. Gravel paths, ramps provided on steps.

 

OXBURGH HALL Oxborough PE33 9PS.

Open11-5.  Adm £4.50, chd £2.25

Hall and moat surrounded by lawns, fine trees, colourful borders; charming parterre garden of French design. Orchard and vegetable garden. Woodland walks. A garden steward is on duty on open days to lead 4 free tours throughout the day. A map is available on arrival showing suitable paths for wheelchair access.

 

Sunday 15^th June and Wednesday 18th June

HIGH HOUSE GARDENS Blackmoor Row, Shipdham, IP25 7PU.

Open 2-5.30 Adm £4, chd free. Home-made teas.

Plantsman’s garden with colour-themed herbaceous borders with extensive range of perennials. Box-edged rose and shrub borders. Woodland garden, pond and bog area. Newly planted orchard and vegetable garden. Wildlife area. Glasshouses. Featured in Amateur gardening magazine, Eastern Daily Press Norfolk. Gravel paths.

 

Monday 16th June

FELBRIGG HALL, Felbrigg NR11 8PR. 

Large pleasure gardens; mainly lawns and shrubs; orangery with camellias; large walled garden restored and restocked as fruit, vegetable, herb and flower garden; dovecote; dahlias; wooded parks.

 

Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd  June 

167 NORWICH ROAD, Wymondham,  NR18 0SJ. 

Open10- 5 Adm £3, chd free Home-made teas and homemade ice creams for sale 

In our ¼-acre town garden, created from a blank canvas 10 years ago, meandering pathways round a circular lawn to a secluded tropical haven, on to a sunken pergola, greenhouse with a cactus collection and a fruit and vegetable plot. We love to recycle and experiment. Featured in Amateur Gardening.

 

Sunday 22nd June

THE GRANGE, HEYDON NR11 6RH. 

Open 12-5.30  Adm £4, chd free. Teas 

Heydon Grange is a predominantly C17 Dutch style Gabled Farmhouse in mellow rose brick. The Garden has been extenively rejuvinated over the last 7 years and is semi enclosed by ancient brick walls and yew hedges with various topiary that was planted circa 1920. There are a mixture of herbaceous borders and a wide selection of shrub and climbing roses. Music, flower and plants stalls.

Sunday 22^nd and 29^th June

NORTH LODGE, 51 Bowthorpe Road, Norwich NR2 3TN

Open 11-5. Adm £3, chd free Home-made teas

Town garden of almost 1/5 acre on difficult triangular plot surrounding Victorian Gothic Cemetery Lodge (not open). Strong structure and attention to internal vista with Gothic conservatory, formal ponds and water features, pergola, classical-style

summerhouse and 80ft deep well! Predominantly herbaceous planting.Self guided walk around associated historic parkland cemetery also available. House extension nominatedfor architectural award. Slide show ofhouse and garden history. Featured in Sunday Times, and on Radio Norfolk.

Sunday 22^nd June

STRANGERS HALL GARDEN Charing Cross, Norwich NR2 4AL.

Open 11-4. Adm £3, chd free (to garden only). Teas 

1/4 acre hidden behind Strangers’ Hall, home of the wealthy merchants and mayors of C16 & C17 provides anunexpected peaceful oasis in a busy city. This urban garden offers glimpses of history with small herb beds, abutting the Eastern window of a C14 church, knot garden and borders with historic roses. Herbs used for culinary, medicinal and dyeing purposes. The garden ismaintained by a small group of volunteers.

WRETHAM LODGE East Wretham IP24 1RL. 

Open 11-5. Adm £4, chd free. Teas in Church

In June hundreds of old roses. Walled garden, with fruit and interesting vegetable plots. Mixed borders and fine old trees. Double herbaceous borders. Wild flower meadows. Featured in House and Garden

Wednesday 25^th June

NARBOROUGH HALL Narborough PE32 1TE. 

Opne 11-5 Adm £4.50, chd free.Light refreshments.

Gently evolving, romantic English garden. Herbs, wild flowers and fruit are planted through sumptuous herbaceous borders. Lake, river and woodland walks, ancient parkland, willow sculpture. Subtle and unusual colour schemes, lots of planting

for wildlife, particularly in the gravel paths and the’ wild at heart’ garden.

Friday 27^th June

MANNINGTON HALL nr Saxthorpe/Corpusty NR11 7BB.

Open Evening 6-9pm  Adm £6, chd free. Light refreshments.

20 acres feature shrubs, lake, trees and roses. Heritage rose and period gardens. Borders. Sensory garden.Extensive countryside walks and trails. Moated manor house and Saxon church with C19 follies. Wild flowers and birds.

 

Sunday 29th June

BISHOP’S HOUSE Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1SB.

Open 1-5 Adm £3, chd free Home-made teas.

4-acre walled garden dating back to C12. Extensive lawns with specimen trees. Borders with many rare and unusual shrubs. Spectacular herbaceous borders flanked by yew hedges. Rose beds, meadow labyrinth, kitchen garden, woodland walk and long border with hostas and bamboo walk. Popular plant sales. Gravel paths, slopes.

NEW BRINTON GRANGE, Brinton, Melton Constable NR24 2QH.

Open 11-4 Adm £5, chd free. Homemade teas.

Mixed garden created over past 12 years with formal and informal areas, specimen trees, parterre, and wooded walk also includes orchard, walled vegetable garden and wild flower meadow.

MANOR FARM HOUSE,  SWANNINGTON, NR9 5NR.

Open 11-5 Adm £5, chd free. Also open with Swannington Manor.

Small garden including knot garden with central fountain, rose garden enclosed by hornbeam hedging, and terrace with large pots of lavender and agapanthus. Access to the Romantic Garden Nursery, which adjoins the garden.

SWANNINGTON MANOR, Norwich NR9 5NR. 

Open 11-5 Adm £4, chd free. Home-made teas.Also open with Manor Farm House.

The C17 manor house (not open) creates a stunning backdrop to this

romantic garden which is framed by extensive 300yr old hedges, thought to be unique in this country. Mixed shrub and herbaceous borders, water garden, sunken rose and knot gardens, specimen trees and sloping lawns combine to make this garden both delightful and unusual.Local artists will also have their work on display.

WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA GARDENS, NR23 1DP.

Open 11-5 Combined adm £5, chd free. Home-made teas at Bishop Ingle House, Clubbs Lane.

NEW BISHOP INGLE HOUSE Clubbs Lane. 

NORFOLK HOUSE, Burnt St. Next to Poacher Cottage

OSTRICH HOUSE, Burnt St. Opp Norfolk House & Poacher Cottage

POACHER COTTAGE, Burnt St. Next door to Norfolk House.

Wells-next-the-Sea is a small friendly coastal town on the glorious North Norfolk Coast: popular with families, walkers and bird watchers. Of the four in the

Group  two are smaller town gardens  and two are somewhat larger: all demonstrate a variety of design and planting approaches incorporating herbaceous borders,cottage”, shrub and fruit, with the two larger gardens providing different “rooms”.