Step into The Walled Gardens

An exciting project is underway at Holkham to restore the 6½ acres of walled gardens which were originally laid out by Samuel Wyatt during the late 1700s. The gardens have been closed to the public since 2005 and the project is estimated to take four to five years to complete. For the first time this year visitors will be able to see how it is developing.

Their first step will take them through Italian iron-work gates which were brought from Venice in 1908 and into one of the eight sections, known as ‘rooms’, with walls acting as windbreaks and reflecting the sun to create a gentle microclimate. In Victorian times these gardens would have provided a constant and varied supply of food and decoration to the hall, ranging from vegetables and flowers to a wide variety of both common and exotic fruits.

There is a distinct tranquil feel to the gardens and time to relax and enjoy the environment. In the herbaceous perennial meadows visitors will be greeted with a variety of blooms and range of colour, with the added opportunity to buy from a selection of propagated plants.

In the second section of the gardens there is a spectacular stand of large Victorian greenhouses which have been renovated back to their original splendour with the help of English Heritage. There are also sunken greenhouses designed to be at a lower level to avoid extreme temperature fluctuations; these are scheduled for renovation in the near future. The trained pear trees here date from the original Victorian plantings and on the garden walls are a number of fig varieties and an olive tree which enjoys the warmth provided.

As the project progresses visitors will be able to meander along the paths bordered by the marvellous displays of foliage colours, flowers and fruit. Ornamental trees, unusual herbaceous perennials and walls clad with climbers and fruit trees will be joined by banks of wavy topped yew hedging. A working area designed to become the vegetable and cut flower garden will hopefully once again provide produce for the family’s kitchen, for entertaining and any surplus food will be used at our hotels.

At the far end of the gardens, an open area designated for weddings and other events will be left and also a perennial meadow to give a spectacular display throughout the year, as well as providing the perfect place for wildlife to enjoy cover and seed heads.

Tim Marshall head gardener at Holkham said: “This is an evolving project which is ambitious but achievable as we work to restore these gardens to their former glory and productivity. Come and see it change through the seasons, sit and relax in one of the gardens or just enjoy the wildlife around you.

Open 1 April - 31 October every day 12noon-4pm

The Walled Gardens have been closed to the public since 2005. They have been undergoing a sensitive restoration, under the guidance of our Head Gardener. The Vinery has been renovated and the last of the glasshouses has been saved with the help of English Heritage. Visitors to the park will have the opportunity to see the work as it progresses.

The gardens are situated to the west of the hall, approximately ¼ mile following the hardcore road and grassed parkland. Car parking is limited and only available for disabled visitors. Transport to and from the Walled Gardens by electric buggy, leaving from the courtyard, is available most days.