Hoveton Hall Gardens

Though the original residents of Hoveton Hall Gardens vacated sometime in the 19th century, many species call this extensive estate home.

White admiral butterflies dance in light-dappled woodland, where mature Rhododendrons and Azaleas provide vibrant splashes of colour among a sea of green. Bring your binoculars as more than 100 species of bird dart about the sprawling estate and nesting waterfowl can be spotted delicately building their nests on Kidney Lake’s island.

History buffs should seek out the cavernous ice well – a task as these were traditionally tucked out of sight among the trees. The Old Kitchen Garden has been redeveloped with manicured lawns and a blaze of herbaceous borders. It still produces fruit for the Regency Hall, an architectural gem dating back to 1809. The kitchen gardens are but one of a collection of gardening treasures on the estate, which includes an old iron glasshouse and the walled Spider Garden with its delightful perennial planting schemes.

The Garden Kitchen Café is a delightful place to pick up freshly made, locally grown grub and estate-reared meat while snatching a last glimpse of the grounds.