National Gardens Scheme – Gayton Garden Trail
The Earl & Countess of Romney begin the National Gardens Scheme Gayton open garden trail on Sunday 29th March at Gayton Hall, six miles east of Kings Lynn, just off the B1145. This well-established, 20 acre woodland garden is laced with streams and ponds, bordered by stunning moisture-loving plants and spring bulbs. It is typical of the gardens that one would associate with the history of the National Gardens Scheme when visitors paid a shilling for entrance. The days when the visitors could have been characters from Pride and Prejudice! The admission is still only a nominal amount.
It is a fine example of the NGS community spirit, which has inspired three new gardens in the Gayton parishes to open for the charity this season. The local NGS team have encouraged gardens to open as a group where possible throughout the county to give the visitor a variety of gardens to visit and a good value day out. It is the formation of clusters of open gardens that has become a trend in the National Gardens Scheme across the counties. As village open gardens used to attract the local community, now visitors travel from further afield with the Yellow Book, the garden lover’s bible. As well as donating to the NGS, funds are also raised for the local communities.
Lady Romney said “The name Gayton was originally derived from the word “Guy” associated with springs of which the garden has many, the water flowing west to eventually meet the Great River Ouse at Kings Lynn. Every year the garden has new vistas and paths as well as many new trees and shrubs to create further interest in the garden. Although we have been the only one to open for many years there are many lovely gardens in our Gayton parishes. I hope that people will take the opportunity to come and enjoy the garden and the new NGS Gayton gardens whilst supporting the worthwhile charities of the National Gardens Scheme.”
Mr & Mrs Peter Grant open Spinney Lodge on April 19th. Its name is derived from a spinney, the small circular woodland area at the front of the property. Peter is a hands-on gardener who trained as an agricultural scientist at The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. There are several of his ideas and constructions including a Victorian raised bed vegetable garden with an automatic irrigation system; a gazebo and summer house; a board walk beside a trout pond adjacent to the river sourced from Gayton Hall and other water features. However his and Myra’s gardening expertise is gained from experience unlike his sister Judith McNeil Wilson who is a trained horticulturist (Chestnut Farm, West Beckham, open August 16th). It can be seen that the two gardens are quite different in design and gardening methods!
Alistair Beales, farm manager at Gayton Hall, opens at Manor Farmhouse, Gayton in conjunction with Julian and Sarah Kerkham at Great Barn Farm, Gayton Thorpe on Sunday 14th June. Both owners are hands-on farmers and it is unusual to find those who spend their working life in agriculture, to be also good gardeners!
Great Barn Farm garden is named after its historic barn reported to be one of the largest of its kind in traditional Norfolk design. The garden is the interest of Sarah following in the footsteps of her mother, on farming land with livery stables. Sarah is developing the garden to represent her individual interests, the garden undergoing a transitional period.
Visit your local Tourist information Centre or garden centre to pick up a Norfolk 2009 leaflet or visit www.norfolkgardens.org and follow the Norfolk National Gardens Scheme garden trail. If your garden is of high quality, character and at least forty five minutes interest contact County Organiser Fiona Black to discuss opening your garden or recommend a friend’s garden! Tel 01692 650247.
For NGS enthusiasts, sign up to become a Friend of the NGS and receive newsletters, discounts on NGS events and promotional offers. Purchase The Yellow Book 2009 and join for free!
GAYTON HALL Gayton PE32 1PL
Open 29 March (12 – 5).
Adm £4, with chd free, (share to St Nicholas church). A 20-acre water garden, streams and bridges, lawns, woodland, lakes, with over 2m of paths. It has many unusual trees and shrubs, with spring bulbs and autumn colour and traditional and waterside borders with primulas, astilbes, hostas, lysichitums, gunneras and many more. 6m E of King’s Lynn. On B1145; R on B1153. R down Back St 1st entrance on L. Home-made teas.
NEW – SPINNEY LODGE, Winch Road, Gayton PE32 1QP.
Open Sun 19 April (11-4).
Adm £3.50, chd free. Approx 2-acre smallholding transformed by owners in 8 yrs into landscaped gardens with existing unusual trees and shrubs. Bounded with stream and divided into formal and informal areas with shrubbery, boardwalk with large wildlife pond, woodland walk and a Victorian raised bed vegetable garden. Home-made teas. WC. 6m E of King’s Lynn. R at Winch Road, 200yds on R past Back Street junction. Blue badge parking only, all others at Bridge House, Winch Road as signed.
NEW – GREAT BARN FARM, Gayton Thorpe PE32 1PN
Open Sun 14 June (12-5).
Adm £4 (share to Gayton Thorpe PCC). Combined with Manor Farm. Established farmhouse garden going through transitional phase with long established herbaceous borders and kitchen garden. Fruit cage and small orchard area. Newly planted low maintenance bed for year round interest. Established pond and patio. Children’s lawn. Woodland garden with den. Child friendly. Limited wheelchair access, some gravel paths. Moderately sloping garden. Home-made teas. 7m E of King’s Lynn. On B1145, R onto B1153, 1st L to Gayton Thorpe, continue through village towards B1145, last house on L
NEW – MANOR FARMHOUSE Gayton PE32 1QR
Open Sun 14 June (12-5).
Adm £4, chd free. combined with Great Barn Farm. Colourful cottage garden created in 2001 on ½-acre plot ruined by major building work to house. Small gravel garden added 2002, courtyard garden and conservatory 2006. Garden changes constantly as owner progresses from non gardener to garden fanatic. Gravel paths, ramps provided on steps. Home-made teas 6m E of King’s Lynn. Signed from B1145 and B1153.
