Meeting at Taverham Garden Centre at 9.15am for 9.30am departure with about an hour’s run to Hindringham Hall Gardens (note – no dogs allowed. £11pp on the day, £10 pp in advance. Link for advance tickets: Hindringham Hall Gardens
One of Norfolk’s secret places and described as the kind of delightful surprise that can only exist in England. The moat dates from 1150 and is one of only a handful of complete moats in Norfolk. The house was built by Martin Hastings, a courtier to Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, using stone from the local monasteries which were then being dissolved. The moat and fishponds date from 1150 and are a scheduled ancient monument, the bridge over the moat and house itself date back to 1538. Viewing of the house is by tour guide on appointed days and not one for our visit. There could well be plant sales so come prepared bring a plastic box in the boot. There is a tea room and I’m sure soon after arrival some of us will be needing a coffee.
The following I have severely edited from June 2024’s Hall Garden diary - “The Vegetable Garden is coming into action … Rocket and Lettuce, Carrots, Beetroot, Spinach and Chard. The Herb Garden needs a serious haircut and the roses along the Pergola are American Pillar Rose.
The Greenhouse is filling with Tomatoes, Basil and Peppers … The Iris have finished for the year and are being cut down and the Delphiniums are taking centre stage.
Hosta and Hemerocallis are narrowing the path along the stream and the Water Garden has become an oasis of shade.
The wonderful smell as you enter the West lawn is from the evergreen Honeysuckle and the white rose clambering though a tree on the other side of the Moat. The Pergola is covered with roses, most have an accompanying Clematis.”
After Hindringham we’ll have a short run to Binham Priory (English Heritage, free entry). Binham Priory is among the most complete and impressive monastic ruins in Norfolk. This Benedictine Priory was founded in 1091 by Peter des Valoines, a nephew of William the Conqueror. Many of its priors were unscrupulous and the history of the priory is one of almost continuous scandal.
The nave of the priory church, with its splendid 13th century west front and fine tiers of Norman arches, is now the parish church, and displays the former rood screen with medieval saints overpainted with Protestant texts. The extensive ruins beyond emphasise the original size of the monastery.
Return run features a refreshment stop at ‘Back to the Garden’ if so desired. From Binham our route takes about 1 hour, exc. tea break, to Broadland Northway (NDR) Drayton junction. Members can peel off enroute or find a more direct route for home.
Route to Hindringham from start. https://maps.app.goo.gl/SiERWw5nC8gMhEvc7
Hindringham to Binham and Return route via tea room to NDR(A1270) at Thorpe Marriot (NW Norwich): https://maps.app.goo.gl/hVX8ZpSTYbBNKkbK8
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David
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