Good Morning
The incredibly busy and diverse Eastern Region Calendar continues with a breakfast drive to The Stody Lodge Estate for their spectacular 2026 Open Garden Event.
Known as one of East Anglia’s most dramatic spring gardens, the colours and scents at Stody Lodge will lift the spirits and dazzle the senses throughout its annual flowering period each May.
The intense palette of its 200 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas across 14-acres is softened by beautiful magnolias, camellias, ornamental and specimen trees, late daffodils and bluebells. These gardens are renowned for meandering pathways lined with towering blooms, magnificent yew hedging, expansive lawns and delicious homemade teas.
Stody Lodge also boasts a little-known national treasure: its exceptional four-acre Azalea Water Gardens which is widely believed to be the largest single planting of vividly coloured azalea mollis (over 2,000 plants) in the UK.
We will meet at the Ffolkes Arms for breakfast, aftwhich, we will follow a meandering drive through North Norfolk towards Melton Constable and Stody. (Drive kindly organised by Andy and Jo).
Full Details:
Day/Date: Sunday 26th April 2026
Breakfast Location: The Ffolkes Arms, Lynn Road, Hillington, PE31 6BJ
Breakfast From: 10.00 to 11.30, (don’t forget your Norfolk Passport)
Destination: Stody Lodge Estate, Melton Constable, Norfolk NR24 2ER
Gardens Open Between: 13.00 and 17.00
Entry Fee: £10 per person
(All proceeds from the month long ‘open garden’ events are donated to local charities).
See: Link below for ticket purchase
If you would prefer to arrange your own route from your area or meet us at the venue, that’s fine, similarly if you would prefer not to have breakfast at the Ffolkes but still join us for the drive, that’s also fine.
We look forward to seeing you on the 26th April 2026.
Andrew, Andy D and Barry
The List
Beve (Breakfast and Drive) 1
Barry and Jenny (Breakfast and Drive) 3
Peter Moss (Breakfast and Drive) 4
Roger and Ingrid (Breakfast and Dive) 6
Bob and Vicky (Breakfast and Drive) 8
Mark and Emma P (Breakfast and Drive) 10
Paul and Mary M (Breakfast and Drive) 12
Dave B (Breakfast and Drive) 13
Peter Midgeley (Breakfast and Drive) 14
Andy and Jo (Breakfast and Drive) 16
Tim and Sue Shimmens (Drive and Breakfast) 18
Steph (Breakfast and Drive) 19
Peter and Jayne Sumner (Breakfast and Drive) 21
Bev and Chrys (Breakfast and Drive) 23
Geoff M (Breakfast and Drive) 24
Dave C (Breakfast and Drive) 25
Kevin and Karen (Breakfast and Drive) 27
Reece and Jo (Breakfast and Drive) 29
Mal and Andrea (Drive Only)
Tony and Wendy (Drive Only)
Ian and Stella (Drive Only)
Barry and Sue P (Drive Only)
Justin and Sarah (Drive Only)
Jeff T-H and Sue (Venue)
Mick and Lynne (Venue)
John and Anne (Venue)
Tony and Helen (Venue)
