The Land of Wide Skies, Private Gardens of Norfolk

We start the day with a real treat: an ‘early bird’ tour by the head gardener of the wonderful walled gardens at Houghton Hall, home of David, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley. We arrive before the garden is officially open with time to explore the larger garden before lunching together. In the afternoon, we are guests of Henry and Charlotte Crawley at Hunworth Hall. This new creation has strong Dutch influences with much topiary and formal hedges dissected by water canals and vistas headed by a very fine pavilion, all reflecting the style and the period of the house. We then return to Titchwell Manor for an evening meal together.  

Just a short distance from the East coast yet sheltered from the worst of the elements we find East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden where we are shown one of the most remarkable and enjoyable contemporary gardens in the country by owner, Alan Gray. Following lunch, we are invited to Corpusty Mill, a complex series of interlinking contrasting spaces overflowing with fine plants. We will be shown three very different sections: one, a manicured web of fine plants and intricate follies; another, informal and relaxed with lake and stainless-steel obelisk; and the last, latest section with an unexpected twist! We then head back to Titchwell Manor for our final evening meal together.  

There are a number of moated manor houses in Norfolk but not all with fine gardens: Elsing Hall is an exception.  The 15th century manor is surrounded by beautiful gardens with especially notable collections of old English roses and pines as well as a fine gingko avenue. Not far away you are invited by Mr and Mrs Simon Broke to a lunch made by the ladies from Holme Hale Church and to visit the gardens of Holme Hale Hall that has been in the Broke family for several generations. The gardens have been reworked by garden designer, Arne Maynard from the bones of the original garden. The walled garden has come back to life, once again growing vegetables and fruits now with long borders in pastel shades. Elsewhere, low cloud hedges of box are filled with perennial grasses framing the formal façade of the Hall. Later this afternoon we return to Norwich Railway Station. Those who have travelled by car will be transferred to Titchwell Manor.