Secret garden set to open in Syderstone, Norfolk

On Sunday, June 4, the Old Rectory garden in Syderstone, west of Fakenham, will open its gates as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS).

Behind a white gate in an ancient red brick wall, visitors will find an old-fashioned rectory garden which was designed in 1999 by Royal Horticultural Society award-winning medallist Arne Maynard.

Syderstone’s ‘secret garden’ at The Old Rectory (Image: Tom White)

Keen plantsman Tom White has been working on the so-called 'secret garden' for the last few months alongside his team, Eddie and Matthew.

He said: “We’ve been opening the garden on and off since 2006 when we moved in.

“We’re very lucky to live here in Syderstone and happy to share our garden for the benefit of the whole community as well as other NGS visitors who travel to see it.

"The refreshments team from St Mary’s church will be here with teas, coffees, cakes and rolls so it will be a great opportunity to get together and meet friends, neighbours and other keen gardeners."

Syderstone’s ‘secret garden’ at The Old Rectory (Image: Tom White)

The garden has a parterre of English shrub roses, herbaceous beds, shrubbery and orchard as well as lawns, box, yew, beech and hornbeam hedging, pleached crab apple, wisteria, a vegetable garden and a riot of climbing roses.

The money raised from admission fees of £5 will go to NGS charities and refreshments proceeds will go to the village church. Children's admission is free.

The garden is open from 11am to 5pm.

Syderstone’s ‘secret garden’ at The Old Rectory (Image: Tom White)

To get to the garden:

SatNav postcode: PE31 8SF. Eight miles west of Fakenham on the A148, turn northwards onto the B1454.

Turn third right, signposted ‘Syderstone’. Follow the road through the village. Turn first left onto Creake Road.

The Old Rectory entrance is on the right in 200 yards. Pedestrian access via the white gate on The Street (opposite Rectory Gardens).