Norfolk Open Gardens: August 2020

During these extraordinary times, some of us have been lucky enough to find solace by spending more time in the garden.    Gardens are blooming: lawns are green and manicured, veggies are growing, and every inch of the border is covered with plants and looking colourful.

There has never been such an interest in gardening with many new gardens being created from scratch. Perhaps as a new garden owner you would like to share the beauty of the garden with likeminded people. Big or small, if you think your garden has quality, character and interest, why not open it to visitors and help the National Garden Scheme raise vital funds for its nursing charities.

There is a team of willing volunteers to support and help you through the process of running an open day.  The first step is to get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling 01692 650247.

Many Norfolk National Garden Scheme gardens are opening during August this year, and will continue to comply with social distancing guidelines.  Entry is by pre-purchased tickets only. Tickets can be easily purchased via the National Garden Scheme website.   All buildings will be closed to visitors and unfortunately gardens will not be able to offer refreshments.

The gardens below are listed as being open during August, but as situations change, please keep checking the website for confirmed dates. Tickets will go on sale on the Monday prior to opening date:

2nd August: Holme Hale Hall, Holme Hale, Swaffham, IP25 7ED
2nd August: The Long Barn, Flordon Road, Newton Flotman, NR15 1QX
5th August: Walcott House, Walcott Green, Walcott, NR12 0NU
9th August: Bishop’s House, Bishopgate, Norwich, NR3 1SB
9th August: Brick Kiln House, Priory Lane, Shotesham, Norwich, NR15 1UJ
9th August:  Highfield House, Back Lane, Castle Acre, King’s Lynn, PE32 2AR
9th August: Tudor Lodgings, Castle Acre. King’s Lynn, PE32 2AN
13th, 27th August: East Ruston Old Vicarage, East Ruston, Norwich, NR12 9HN
15th, 16th August: Greenways, Blacksmiths Lane, Hindringham, Fakenham, NR21 0QB
16th August: Hoveton Hall Gardens, Hoveton Hall Estate, Hoveton, Norwich, NR12 8RJ
16th, 23rd, 30th August: Brick Kiln House, Priory Lane, Shotesham, Norwich, NR15 1UJ
Every Sun and Mon during August: Acre Meadow, New Road, Bradwell, Great Yarmouth, NR31 9DU

Special event:  We have just received confirmation that Alan Gray, from East Ruston Old Vicarage, will be conducting a guided tour on behalf of the NGS.  The tour will be on Thursday 30th July, 10am – 12noon.  Tickets are £30 and visitors are welcome to stay on after the tour.  Tickets are available through online booking only at ngs.org.uk.

Garden Video Library:

During garden lockdown, some garden owners have made a video of their garden which has been posted in a Virtual Garden Visits library, below we have featured one each from Norfolk and Suffolk. Currently the library holds more than 100 short films and is accessible through this link.

‘Help Support Our Nurses’ Campaign

In April we launched ‘Help Support Our Nurses’ campaign to draw attention to the amazing work on the Coronavirus crisis frontline being carried out by the nursing charities we support. One hundred per cent of funds raised at gardens, and through our virtual garden library, during the rest of 2020 will go to the Help Support Our Nurses campaign.

When we launched this campaign in April we set a target of raising £100,000 online while we shared our virtual garden visits. Now we are in the last week of adding new material we are tantalisingly close to the target and we’d love your help to get there.  To donate and help us reach our target, visit our JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/supportourgardens