Events and Activities

The Society's visit to the Hoveton Hall gardens happened to coincide with one of those glorious summer days which occur all too rarely. The 15 acre gardens, not previously known by our members, are something quite exceptional. The gardens are made up of several areas, all with their own characteristics. Furnished with what proved to be the very necessary maps the Holt group took our individual ways around the extremely varied gardens.

The variety was remarkable. The beautifully wrought iron spider gate, created by Eric Stevenson, a well-known Wroxham blacksmith in 1936 led into the walled garden where Mary Richardson's sculpted pieces predominated were the initial favourites. Following the gently curving pathways through the arboretum and bypassing the lake, where the swans gently cruised, brought one to the most interesting oak circle. The mown pathways around the garden tempted one into ever more colourful areas dominated by the most varied and mature rhododendrons. Further sculpted pieces took the eye as one wandered through the arboretum following a visit to the glasshouse, one of the few disappointments.

Eventually the Holt members converged upon the tea-rooms to enjoy a delicious variety of cakes including ginger and chocolate before dispersing homewards. The visit had proved to be a "Holt Society special" with the sun having set off the gardens at their very best.