This is the perfect time of year to think about visiting some of the incredible gardens in the heart of Suffolk. Enjoy the sunshine with a relaxing stroll, absorbing the scents of the plants and the sounds of the birds.
The gardens at Columbine Hall are a fine example of a contemporary response to the challenge of a moated garden. Designed by George Carter in the early 90’s they include hornbeam hedges, pleached limes, yew hedges. Some 30 years later, nearly everything is mature including four beds, inspired by 1960s men’s tie designs with horizontal blocks of colour. Both evergreen and deciduous, it’s always colourful. Columbine Hall website
Just 20 mins drive from Columbine Hall and open from the 1st May. It is hard to exaggerate the effect of this beautiful park and gardens. With its red deer and spectacular moated Hall in mellow, patterned red brick it gives you an extraordinary impression of tranquillity. A classic parterre is flanked by hybrid musk roses and a stunning walled kitchen garden with exquisite herbaceous borders is interspersed by tunnels of sweet peas, runner beans and gourds. If you visit in May, be sure to seek out the apple tree walk to catch the full blossom.
The influence of garden designer Xa Tollemache, is clearly visible – the parterre was redesigned in 1987 and the new rose garden to the east of the coach house was created in 1982, together with the knot and herb garden. Helmingham Hall boasts a relaxed atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. Helmingham Hall website.
At Kentwell Hall, the views reflect how many imagine a country house garden to look. Evolving over five centuries much of the history is still visible. The gardens are dominated by the Hall itself with its original brick walls and moat and perhaps the largest stand of Cedar trees in England. There is an abundance of topiary, large and small and unexpected surprises at every turn. On your visit look out for the brick-paved Maze in the Courtyard and the huge, topiary Yew Castle.
Open regularly for viewing, you can stroll around the ever-changing gardens, never far from water or interesting views of the house. Kentwell Hall website.
Just 5 mins drive from Kentwell Hall is the National Trust’s, Long Melford Hall. It has over 130 acres of gardens and parkland. Visitors might start with the West Garden, dominated by the Banqueting House. Or take a walk around Lady Ulla’s pond, currently being renovated to become a reflecting pond. Explore the beautiful herbaceous borders and the 100 year old wisteria, in full bloom in May.
In the north-east corner of the garden is ‘Lord Somerset’s Residence’. A quiet woodland corner and a favourite spot to look for insects and small garden birds. Take a walk along the avenue of yew trees and look out for espaliered fruit trees and a flower border of irises. Long Melford Hall website
A five minute drive from Helmingham Hall will take you to the enchanting, 10 acre gardens of Otley Hall, reflecting a range of influences across the years. The Elizabethan style knot garden, traditional herber and orchard were designed by Sylvia Landsberg, garden historian and author of “The Medieval Garden”. More recently, in 2009, a striking labyrinth was added to the gardens. The design is based upon the one in Chartres Cathedral. Other influences seen in the H-shaped canal and elsewhere, include Francis Inigo Thomas. This famous Edwardian landscape gardener continues to inspire the gardens development. Otley Hall website.