The Norfolk Collection: Gardens of the Wide Skies

4 days | £2950 per person | 20 - 23 September 2027

Gardens of the Wide Skies

Enjoy a hand-picked selection of fine private gardens in a quintessentially English region of rural Britain, a little-known landscape of flint and red brick architecture, steeply pitched roofs of tile and thatch, round church towers and long sandy beaches. In every garden visited in this quiet corner of old England we are met for special guided tours to learn the essentials of the creation of exceptional gardens; classical garden designer George Carter will describe his theatrical green garden; at The Old Vicarage, East Ruston, Alan Gray will show us a garden that started as a field to become what is one of the most remarkable and enjoyable contemporary gardens in Britain as well as some very find older estate gardens which are glowing with modern vibrant tasteful planting. We are accommodated for three nights at The Gunton Arms, a charming and unusual inn surrounded by peaceful parkland. Formerly a shooting lodge used for the secret rendezvous of Lily Langtree and King Edward the VII. It is now owned by art collector Ivor Braka who has overseen that all rooms are deeply comfortable each with a different character and decoration including enlivening art works.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

This tour will start at Norwich Railway Station, which has a good through service from London Liverpool Street and convenient parking. 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 have an exclusive visit, including lunch and a special guided tour to this most remarkable and enjoyable contemporary country garden. In the afternoon we visit a lovely private garden featured on Gardener’s World.

Day 2

We start the day with a real treat: a very private garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith. Then a coffee stop at Burnham Overy Staithe, an unspoiled coastal village with tidal creeks and secluded sandy beach. Lunch at a local inn before a tour of the wonderful walled gardens of Holkham Hall. Abounding with edibles and flowers including a peach house and vine house. We then return to The Gunton Arms and then dine together.

Day 3

We start the day with a visit to the moated Hindringham Hall for a relaxing stroll with the owner weaving through the nutwalk, around the moat, medieval fishponds and the River Stiffkey. On to Houghton Hall, home of David, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, who has amassed an incredible collection of modern sculpture including a James Turrell Skyspace. We will be guided around the ornamentally planted walled garden with the Head Gardener with time after to explore the house and wider landscape. Lunch is included today at Houghton. We end the day with a private garden visit before heading back to The Gunton Arms for our final evening meal together.

Day 4

Today we include three contrasting private gardens: Dick Fiddian has a passion for building from architectural salvage. At Fiddian’s Follies we discover his works surrounded by simple planting. We then visit Lexham Hall with its 18^th century crinkle-crankle wall, cloud topiary and a flower-filled wall garden. Our final visit together will be to Silverstone Farm, home and garden of designer, George Carter, where we are invited to lunch and a guided tour of his formal theatrical green garden. Finally, we return to Norwich Railway Station for or to The Gunton Arms for those needing to collect cars.

The Gunton Arms

The Gunton Arms is a quaint country inn set within the beautiful North Norfolk landscape. The inn combines stylish bedrooms and contemporary art with a relaxed countryside atmosphere. Food is at the heart of the experience, with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and dishes cooked over open fires. Steeped in history and surrounded by beautiful parkland, it offers a charming setting for guests looking to explore the Norfolk countryside and nearby gardens.

Price: £2950

Single Supp: £255

Deposit: £350

Departure Dates:

20 - 23 September 2027

Duration:

3 nights / 4 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Three nights’ bed and breakfast at The Gunton Arms
Private coach transfers and excursions
Three evening meals and four lunches
Guided visits to the sites listed in the programme
Services of the tour host and a tour leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Host & Leader

Janey Auchincloss

Janey Auchincloss is a Suffolk-based garden designer, horticulturist and garden enthusiast whose work has taken her from private country gardens to the world stage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Having trained at the University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens, Janey brings a deep understanding of plants together with a designer’s eye for atmosphere, detail and a strong sense of place. As a presenter on ITV1’s Britain’s Best Back Gardens, she shared her infectious enthusiasm for gardens and the people who create them. Janey is fascinated by the romance and history of great gardens — the characters behind them, the plants that have become their signatures and the little details that reveal how a garden has evolved. Warm, curious and always ready to share a good horticultural secret, Janey brings her considerable knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to every tour.

Marion Mako

After giving up a ‘safe’ job to train as a garden designer, Marion cut her horticultural teeth at the fabulous Special Plants nursery run by Derry Watkins. Following this, she completed an MA in Garden History at the University of Bristol. The historical, architectural and garden knowledge gained from this course has informed, shaped and enriched Marion’s work ever since. As all of Marion’s gardens are a work in progress, her learning and development continues, enhanced by the people she meets through research, tours, talks and design work.

Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Boxwood Tours use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.