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3-day Gardens of Norfolk trip

Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 April 2012

***** This event has now finished *****

Join The Garden House for a very special experience – our 3-day visit to Norfolk and surrounds – two nights in luxury accommodation with visits to several amazing gardens.  

“Norfolk is the most wonderful place on earth” Stephen Fry

Leaving Brighton at about 9.15 on Tuesday 10 April, we will begin our adventure by visiting the world-renowned Beth Chatto Gardens on our drive up to Norfolk.

In 1960 the Beth Chatto Gardens were just an overgrown wasteland lying between two farms. Faced with all kinds of difficult conditions, including very low rainfall, Beth and the late Andrew Chatto set out to find homes for many of the plants they wished to grow. With dry and damp soil in both sun and shade, they were able put into practice the underlying principles of what is now referred to as “ecological gardening”.  This is an exceptional garden, one that really does embrace the principles of ‘right plant, right place’.

We will have lunch at the garden and then leave for our luxury bed-and-breakfast accommodation:

• www.manor-house-farm.co.uk Manor House Farm, Wellingham, is a conservation award-winning farm offering an enchanting country escape.  The owners are garden lovers and open their garden in the NGS.
• www.litchamhall.co.uk Litcham Hall, Litcham, is situated on the edge of a conservation village.  This fine, listed 18th Century House is set in three acres of garden and situated just a few miles from the unspoilt north-Norfolk coast.

Once settled in, we will then have dinner at the nearby pub, The Crown at East Rudham which won the Gastro Pub of the Year Award in 2010.

After breakfast we will drive to South Walsham where we will visit The Fairhaven Garden, set in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.  Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is a secret hideaway just waiting to be discovered.   Here we will be guided by the head gardener and have the opportunity to look at plants that grow in the shade. This is a unique garden rich in wildlife, an eclectic mix of native and cultivated plantings with a network of dyke systems and a private broad.  Our visit will include a boat trip on the broad!

We will then have lunch in Coltishall before heading off to the wonderful, historic city of Norwich.  Here we suggest a visit to the beautiful herb garden of Norwich Cathedral, originally created by monks and recently restored www.cathedral.org.uk – or enjoy some free time exploring this delightful city before we meet up for dinner.

Our third day, Thursday 12 April, will be spent at East Ruston Old Vicarage www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk .  This garden is a feast of formal design, decorative exuberance and brilliant planting. It is positioned close to the sea but well protected by windbreaks, making it possible to grow remarkably tender plants. The separate gardens including Tropical Borders, Mediterranean Garden, Sunken Garden, Autumn Borders, Kitchen Garden, Desert Wash and Cornfield: all vary strongly in mood. Sculptures, lavishly planted pots and finely detailed walls and gates play their decorative part. It was voted one of the best 50 gardens in Europe by the Independent newspaper.

Following coffee, plus a guided tour by the owner, Alan Gray, we will have a delicious lunch at the Old Vicarage before returning to Brighton.

Cost: £450 – to include all accommodation, transport, entrance to gardens and all food throughout the trip (there will be a single room supplement of £50). NOTE: £100 deposit payable on booking, remainder can be paid by instalments, final instalment 4 February 2012.

Do join us on this unique visit to a wonderful part of the country!

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