• 18th century Walled Kitchen Garden
  
  
• Victorian Conservatory
  
  
• Edwardian Rose Garden
  
  
• Huge Herbaceous Borders
  
  
• Unusual Plant Species
  
  
• Colourful Herb Garden
  
  
• Orchard and Arboretum
  
  
• Contemporary Garden Sculptures

Raveningham Gardens, like many other great gardens is the work of one person. My mother, Priscilla Bacon, lived here for 50 years and in that time enlarged the garden, energetically creating magnificent borders.

When she began her gardening campaign in 1950, the Edwardian summerhouse and rosebeds in front of the portico were the only evidence that the garden was more than just an extension to the park.

My wife and I have continued my mother's work by developing a new herb garden, refurbishing the walled garden's Victorian conservatory, planting an arboretum and introducing contemporary sculpture.

We recently created a lake in the park to celebrate the millennium, and over the next few years will concentrate on improving the arboretum and the lake's landscape setting.

A new area has been developed in the old plant nursery, which incorporates restoration of the melon pits and the creation of a Time garden, based on Francis Bacon's Essay of Gardens.

This is a place away from the hurly burly of modern life, where you can reflect on how a modern garden can evolve and explore a traditional walled garden which still produces fruit and vegetables for the family as it did for my Victorian ancestors.

We look forward to welcoming you to our living garden.


Sir Nicholas and Lady Bacon

Snowdrop Season 2012

Gardens open for the snowdrop season from Sunday 12 February to Sunday 4 March, Monday to Friday 11am to 4pm and Sunday 2pm to 4pm ( closes dusk if earlier) - closed Saturdays.

Proceeds go to Priscilla Bacon Lodge, a centre for specialist palliative care services in Norwich.

Tea and home made cakes served on Sundays and sunny days.

Main Season 2012

Gardens open from Easter Sunday 8 April to the end of August as follows:
All Bank Holiday Sundays and Mondays, 2pm to 5pm - (tea and cakes available).
All Thursdays, 11am to 4pm - (tea and cakes available on sunny Thursdays).

Also open Bank Holiday Tuesday 5 June.

Special Openings

Rose Weeks

Monday 18 June to Friday 22 June, daily 11am to 4pm and Monday 25 June to Friday 29 June, daily 11am to 4pm (closed Saturdays and Sundays).

Agapanthus Weeks

Monday 30 July to Friday 3 August, and Monday 6 August to Friday 10 August open Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm (closed Saturdays and Sundays).

Autumn Fruit and Vegetable Weeks

Monday 17 September to Friday 21 September, and Monday 24 September to Friday 28 September open Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm (closed Saturdays and Sundays)

Tea and cakes available on sunny days during special opening weeks.

Gardens Admission: adults £4, concessions £3.50 and children under 16 free.

Group Visits Welcome

Pre booked group visits welcome on weekdays throughout the main season. Special weekend and evening visits can also be arranged.

Price per head: weekday £6.50 (includes tea & cake) and £3.50 (without tea & cake), evening and weekends £7.50

To book a group visit tel. 01508 548152, email office@raveningham.com.

Most of the garden is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs - telephone for details.

• Dogs on leads are welcome.