The combination of heat and rain that we’ve been experiencing has meant the greenery around the country is thriving! Wild animals, insects and nature have come to life, bringing a fresh vibrancy, with colour bursting from the hedgerows and the birds singing. Find a sunny day (or take an umbrella) and enjoy some glorious and well-maintained gardens around Norfolk.
Blickling Estate
1. Blickling Hall and Gardens, Norwich
60 min drive from Waveney River Centre & Caldecott Hall Country Park
Blickling Hall and Gardens is fun for all generations. For children, there are giant games to play with and activities that are aimed at encouraging them to get excited about nature and to grow their own plants. The garden has an Orangery with fruit trees, a temple and a large lake that creates an impressive reflection of the stately home and the gardens around it on a good day. There are two secret and hidden tunnels, which are great for exploring and provide the ideal picnic spot. There is over 3000 acres of farmland, so whether you are visiting the gardens or choosing one of the many paths for a walk through the countryside, your day will be filled with nature!
2. Elsing Hall Garden, Dereham
60 min drive from Waveney River Centre & Caldecott Hall Country Park
Elsing Hall and Gardens is a traditional style house and moat, encompassed by a stunning array of beautiful plants. Part of the garden is purely dedicated to roses, which when they are in full bloom have a very strong and traditional rose smell, something that is lacking in many of the shop brought roses that you can get today.
Bressingham Gardens
© Copyright Simon Reilly and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
3. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, Norwich
49 min drive from Waveney River Centre / 35 min drive from Caldecott Hall Country Park
A 130-acre natural garden with wooded areas and nature paths to follow. It is the perfect place for a stroll and exploring with your family and dog, or you may just want to sit and watch the world go by. Throughout the spring and summer there are a range of interesting and fun activities that take place at the Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden; photography workshops, boat trips, canoe outings, theatre and much more. There are tearooms too, if you fancy a cup of tea and bite to eat.
4. Bressingham Gardens, Bressingham
50 min drive from Waveney River Centre / 55 min drive from Caldecott Hall Country Park
Bressingham Gardens is not just a stunning outdoor space, they also have steam train journeys available through the gardens which give you a seated tour of the plants and woodlands. There is a choice of short journeys you can take, depending on what part of the garden you are keen to explore by foot or have already explored earlier in the day. Visitors are offered the chance to experience driving the steam train and are given an insight into the maintenance taken to keep the trains looking their best. The planting of the gardens began in 1953 and there is claimed to be over an impressive 8000 varieties of plants.
Sandringham Estate Woodland
5. Sandringham House Gardens, Sandringham
90 min drive from Waveney River Centre & Caldecott Hall Country Park
A museum and gardens, Sandringham House is really the type of place to spend a whole day! The attentive and informative guides will be on hand to answer your questions and show you the collections of photographs, ceramics and Royal vehicles. There are over 24 acres of gardens which have been developed over the years by various members of the royal family. Part of the estate is an impressive 100 acres of lavender, the incredible scent and vibrancy of colour from the fields is reason enough to stop off at the house.
6. Pensthorpe Gardens, Fakenham
75 min drive from Waveney River Centre & Caldecott Hall Country Park
Pensthorpe Natural Park is set in the heart of Wensum Valley and has something for everyone who loves nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. The winner of the Norfolk’s Best Large Attraction Award will not disappoint, with over 700 acres, a lake, nature trails and woodland walks, the grounds and gardens will have a surprise at every turn and the bright, colourful plants will take your breath away! The sculptures in the wave garden are stunning pieces of art, which all visitors should be sure to enjoy when they go. Whether you visit for a walk, to just relax in a beautiful place or to buy some of Norfolk’s delicious local produce, you will enjoy your day..
Pensthorpe Gardens
7. Felbrigg Hall and Gardens, Norwich
75 min drive from Waveney River Centre & Caldecott Hall Country Park
The 17th century Felbrigg Hall has a delightful walled garden, with fruit and vegetables that are produced for the restaurant at the hall. There are fruit trees and herb gardens and the smell alone is unmissable. The flower beds have roses, dahlias and more, blooming well in the late spring. The ornamental pond is surrounded by lavender and the garden is abuzz with the bees from hives in the apple orchard. You can also take a walk in the surrounding park through ancient trees and along the lake.
8. Oxburgh Hall garden, Swaffham
90 min drive from Waveney River Centre & Caldecott Hall Country Park
Surrounding a Tudor manor house built in 1482, the gardens at Oxburgh Hall have expansive lawns fringed with fine trees. The summer bedding for the Victorian parterre blooms with ageratums and marigolds, and the Victorian kitchen garden has plums, apples, roses, medlars, and clematis. There is also a herb and vegetable garden providing produce for the restaurant.
Sheringham Park
9. Sheringham Park, Sheringham
80 min drive from Waveney River Centre & Caldecott Hall Country Park
Designed by Humphry Repton in 1812, the gardens are one of his outstanding achievements. The large woodland garden is particularly famous for its spectacular display of rhododendrons and azaleas, with May and June being the best time to see them. On walks through the park you will be rewarded with stunning views of the north Norfolk coast and countryside, and there are paths taking you to the cliffs near the beach at Sheringham.
10. Holkham Walled Garden, Wells-next-the-Sea
100 min drive from Waveney River Centre & Caldecott Hall Country Park
As you go through the ornate Venetian gates, relax and enjoy the Walled Garden’s enchanting and tranquil atmosphere. There are stunning displays of flowers, fruit and vegetables providing you with a range of colours and scents. Support from the Heritage Lottery Fund has helped Holkham develop the 18th century garden and conserve it for future generations to enjoy.
Why not look at our holiday homes for sale in or nearby to Norfolk? You can return each year to these stunning gardens and see how they mature and grow into masterpieces.
