National Gardens Scheme booklet

The launch of the 2017 Norfolk National Gardens Scheme Gardens to Visit booklet is an event eagerly anticipated by the many people who enjoy seeking out interesting gardens to visit which are rarely on public view.

2017 is the 90th year of gardens opening for the NGS and to help celebrate this remarkable milestone the launch of the booklet was held at Silverstone Farm the gardens of renowned landscape designer George Carter. 

Here in Norfolk, gardens range from the small and quirky to the large and grand. Very often you will have a chance to meet the owners, enjoy home-made refreshments, and purchase some exciting plants – you will find all the details in the 2017 Norfolk NGS booklet and on the NGS website.

This year 73 gardens are opening in Norfolk. The many keen visitors will be pleased that 18 new and returning gardens are on show. Among these are  The Old House in Ranworth with walled gardens by the peaceful Ranworth Broad and Bank House at Marshland St James with two acres of colourful planting.  There are also three groups of smaller gardens including Holme –Next-The-Sea where you can browse four very different immaculately maintained gardens in a pretty village.

County organiser Fiona Black said “The 2017 Norfolk NGS Gardens to Visit booklet provides full descriptions and pictures of gardens to explore across the County and we know from visitor feedback that the booklet becomes a treasured possession for the whole garden season.   Last year Norfolk raised a magnificent £110,000 with additional amounts for charities nominated by the garden owners.  Every garden is different, and provides a great day out at a relatively low price, complete with tea and wonderful homemade cakes!”

To get the garden visiting season off to a bright start the second annual National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Snowdrop Festival begins in Norfolk on Saturday 18th February with Mathew and Caroline Fleming’s magnificent garden at Horstead House in Mill Road, Horstead, NR12 7AU, with millions of these popular flowers on show in woodland and riverside settings.The garden is open from 11am to 4pm and admission is £4 with free entry for children. There will be homemade teas available.

On Sunday 26th February, it’s the turn of Bagthorpe Hall, near East Rudham, PE31 6QY with masses of snowdrops along a circular woodland walk. Delicious warming soup made from vegetables grown on the estate farm will be available. The gardens are open from 11am to 4pm and admission is £4.00, children free.

Also on the 26th February and on Sunday 5th March there are no less than 90 varieties of snowdrops to grab your attention at Chestnut Farm in West Beckham NR25 6NX.Here there will also be plenty of other late winter flowers to admire with some heavenly scented shrubs. Owners John and Judy McNeil Wilson have over 50 years of gardening expertise and are always keen to share their knowledge with visitors. The gardens are open from 11 to 4pm, admission is £5 with children free. Refreshments will be available.

Also on Sunday  5th  March we are delighted that the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Sir Nicholas Bacon has agreed to open his garden at Raveningham Hall,Raveningham near Norwich NR14 6NS. There will be snowdrops on display along with much else to admire in this renowned country house garden. The gardens are open from 11 to 4pm, admission is £5 with children free and home-made teas available

Pick up a copy of the Norfolk NGS 2017 Gardens to Visit booklet at your local Tourist Centre, library and garden centre.

Notes:

  • Since its foundation in 1927, The National Garden Scheme has donated over £50 million to its beneficiaries
  • Charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme include the Queen’s Nursing Institute, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Perennial, Parkinson’s UK and MS Society. Further donations are also made.
  • Registered Charity 1112664
  • www.ngs.org.uk