Fairhaven Gardening Team
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is in Garden News Magazine's Best 100 Gardens in the UK for the second year running. The Best 100 Gardens poll, which was voted on by the magazine's readers, also gave Fairhaven third place in the Midlands region (which includes East Anglia).
Louise Rout, General Manager, Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden said: “We are thrilled to be in Garden News Magazine's Best 100 Gardens again and would like to thank everyone who voted and helped us achieve third place in the Midlands. Our gardening team work so hard to care for the garden and the Best 100 Gardens poll is a wonderful endorsement of their work.“
The garden is open daily from 10am to 5pm . Free entry to tearoom (opens 9.15am), gift shop and plant sales.
There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden and an accessible boat for trips on the broad from April to October (additional charge).
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham NR13 6DZ, half way between Norwich and Great Yarmouth, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk, t. 01603 270449.
Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance, mobility scooters available.
Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.
Notcutts Norwich Garden Centre have donated end of season bulbs to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden.
The gift was facilitated by Ray Etheridge, one of Fairhaven's regular garden volunteers, who works at Notcutts. Ray explained: “Every year Notcutts donates end of season stock to charity. I suggested that Fairhaven would be a good location for our bulbs and was delighted to be able to bring four sacks of daffodils, along with tulips, and crocus to plant in the garden.”
Fairhaven Gardener Lydia Sutton is pictured with Ray planting some of the bulbs.
There will also be a Christmas Market (free entry) featuring gift ideas and tasty treats from local businesses, plus live music, an Elves' Workshop with Christmas crafts to keep the children busy and woodland illuminations. Hot seasonal food and mulled wine will be on offer in the tearoom.
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham, staged its tenth annual Fun Dog Day and Dog Show on Sunday, September 8.
The Dog Show's 11 categories, including best mover, best sausage catcher, cutest face, best crossbreed, prettiest bitch, handsomest male and best family raised £386 for Great Yarmouth based CARE Dog Rescue, www.care-uk.com.
Nicola Cook from Great Yarmouth won Best in Show with her English Cocker Spaniel, Myrtle, along with Prettiest Bitch puppy to the three years old.
Matthew Wilson from Lowestoft won Reserve Best in Show with his Lurcher, Lily, along with the dog the judge would most like to take home category. Lilly was also second in best sausage catcher.
Event organiser, Georgina Angel said: “I would like to thank all the owners and their dogs for taking part in our Dog Show and making it such a success. We are really pleased to be donating £386 to CARE Dog Rescue.”
All Things Norfolk have teamed up with Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden to provide you with the chance to win a family ticket to their Cirque de Bizarre Halloween Party which takes place on Thursday 31st October from 6pm to 8pm.
The Fairhaven Cirque de Bizarre Halloween Party features mind-boggling acts in the woods from the Foolhardy Circus. There'll be ferocious fire eating and a terrifying trapeze artist. Ruby Dagger will chew her razor blades and there'll be a group of fiendish clowns among the trees. Look out for the trickery of the Black HoleMagic Box, the frightening skill of the whip man and hear devilish tales from Tilly the Storyteller. Don't miss the live music, children's entertainer, fabulous face painting and great food and drink. Dress code is diabolical circus. The evening finishes with a fireworks finale at 7.45pm. You'd be bats to miss it!
Head to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden this summer, explore the garden and enjoy the popular Great Bear Hunt with additional Teddy Bears' Picnic, plus the Tree-Mendous trail, Den Building, the tree swing and Wild Wednesdays, craft related wildlife activities every Wednesday during the school holidays (11am to 3pm).
All the activities are included in the garden entry charge, which is £6.85 for adults, £6.60 for concessions, £3.95 for children (5-16) and under 5 free.
Volunteer Andy Usher has carved 10 bears from Fairhaven wood to create the Great Bear Hunt. The bears are located throughout the garden next to trees and shrubs. It's a fun way to learn about the woodland and get out and about in the garden.
Andy has also created a special summer Teddy Bears' Picnic area and a Bear Swing. Children can borrow one of our teddy bears at visitor reception, or bring their own and enjoy some quality bear time.