Meet at Taverham Garden Centre (NR8 6HT) at 9.15am for 9.30am departure.
About 45 minutes run to Nat Trust’s Sheringham Park (parking £6.50 non-members/members free). Coffee in the Courtyard then explore the Park following Repton’s Walk (2 miles). Yes a WALK. Hopefully we will not be too late for the Rhododendrons (planted from mid-1800s) which initially are on all sides. From the woodland scene we emerge to look across fields to the sea. Sheringham Hall (1813), home of Upcher family, is below. Upchers used Humphry Repton’s 1812 design as a blueprint to manage and enhance the estate. Stopping at the Gazebo to climb to the top is well worthwhile. Continuing on we pass the farm and Temple (1975) to reach the path back to the Visitor Centre.
Next up, a short run to Priory Maze & Garden, Sheringham (01263 820942), arr about 1.15pm for lunch. We can explore the 10 Acres of beautiful gardens and hedge maze, plus there’s a ruined Priory next door. Situated in a mild micro climate, with the Beeston bump sheltering the gardens it is both tranquil and yet exciting with that maze to discover. Planted in the late 1980’s, the 7ft high maze is based on the ruins of Beeston Priory. The copper beech copies the layout of the priory and the hornbeam infills create the maze. This is not a symmetrical maze, there is no middle, instead there is a viewing platform giving visitors a chance to try and plot their way out.
Adjacent to the site is the Priory of St Mary in the Meadow or Beeston Priory as some call it. Although in ruins the walls conjure up a idea of what the place was like and it and is of interest to the historian and photographer alike.
The planned return route, via Aylsham & Horstead of about 45mins brings us to the NDR / Broadland Northway / A1270 at which point we all make our separate ways home. As usual some will leave for home straight from the garden or leave us enroute, whatever, safe journeys all.
Sign up here on the Forum for this run.
- David & Rosemary
- Phil & Christine
- Kevin & Tamsin
- Laurie
- Richard & Trevour
- David & Julia
- Andy
- Mark
- Richard
- John & Penny