Dragons and Dragoons at Hoveton Hall Gardens

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations and Craft Fair at Hoveton Hall Gardens Sunday 3rd – Tuesday 5th June 2012

With lots to do, see and enjoy for all the family, the place to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is at Hoveton Hall Gardens, near Wroxham.  Over the long bank holiday weekend, from Sunday 3rd to Tuesday 5th of June, there will be all sorts of Jubilee-themed fun at the Gardens included in the normal entrance fee. Plus there are the gardens themselves to explore, which spread over nearly twenty acres.

One of the key attractions will be Hoveton Hall’s annual craft fair, with a jubilee-themed twist, showcasing the very best of Norfolk’s local produce and crafts. The stalls will include jewellery, art, food, aloe vera products and even wooden tree dragons. It’s also a chance to see craftspeople in action, such as a wood turner.

Not strictly speaking Dragoons, the East Norfolk Militia will be putting on Napoleonic war re-enactments to keep everyone entertained on the Sunday and Tuesday. The red coat Napoleonic era re-enactment group will be recreating scenes from the Georgian period of 1803-1815. 

The kids are bound to love the exciting falconry shows featuring trained birds of prey such as Harris hawks, kestrels, European eagle owl, Indian eagle owl, barn owl and falcons.

And what better way to celebrate the Royal Jubilee and to complete the celebrations than by indulging in a Jubilee-style afternoon tea in the Gardens’ tea rooms. The tea rooms serve afternoon tea as it should be, with freshly brewed tea, scones and locally made cakes. Home-grown plants and local gifts will also be available to purchase in the gift shop. 

Hoveton Hall Gardens is one of Norfolk’s best kept secrets.  It offers a rare mixture of experiences for gardeners, walkers and families – on the one hand there are the woodlands, the water garden, with its natural tunnels, bridges, nooks and crannies, and the park.  On the other are the walled garden, with its unique spider gate, the kitchen garden, the 18th century ice well and the early 19th century glass house.  There are also adventure trails and activities for children. 

The cold weather in early May is likely to mean that early June is the best time to see its huge collection of rhododendrons, Norfolk’s largest, in full bloom. The Gardens have over 200 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas, including a number of evergreen Kurume azaleas and several specimens of the fragrant yellow R. luteum from Eastern Europe.  When the varieties are all in full bloom, the glorious display is one not to be missed.

Admission prices are £7.00 for adults, £3.50 for 4-16 year olds and under 4s free.  Family ticket is £19.00 and OAPs £6.50.  Wheelchair users and carers £5 each.  Admission includes entrance to the Gardens and all the above events. Other facilities include the tea rooms, plant sales, gift shop and guided tours.  The gardens are open Tuesday – Friday and Sunday, 10.30am to 5.00pm.  Last admission 4.00pm.  Hoveton Hall Gardens is situated at the edge of the Norfolk Broads, just north of Wroxham.  Follow brown and white tourist signs off the A1151.