From Chelsea Flower Show gold medalists to peaceful walled gardens and hidden horticultural havens, Norfolk is blooming with garden inspiration.
Whether you’re planning a garden makeover, looking for new planting ideas, or simply love exploring beautiful green spaces, Norfolk offers something for every gardening enthusiast.
Across the county, talented Norfolk garden designers and passionate home gardeners are transforming outdoor spaces into thriving, characterful retreats.
From classic English cottage gardens filled with climbing roses and heritage apple trees, to sleek modern garden designs using wild planting and reclaimed materials, the landscape is rich with variety.
Need some inspiration? We have it:
Meet Norfolk’s Leading Garden Designers: Joe & Laura Carey
One of Norfolk’s most dynamic gardening partnerships is found in Holt. Joe and Laura Carey of Carey Garden Design Studio have been creating evocative outdoor spaces for over 15 years.
Their portfolio spans from Cley-next-the-Sea to Bethnal Green and includes Gold Medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in both 2023 and 2025.
In 2025 their winning garden, inspired by the Norfolk saying, "slow you down", explored the mental health benefits of unrushed living. With designs which fuse naturalistic beauty with thoughtful structure, they’re seeing a shift in the gardening world.
“We’ve noticed a definite move towards a wild, naturalistic aesthetic,” they told At Home magazine: “There’s a generosity in how people want gardens to be shared, tranquil spaces.”
Inspired by the coastal marshes of North Norfolk, the couple embrace the region’s calm colour palette and layered textures. One recent project saw them design a new garden outside the HQ of Carrier Company in Glandford, where reclaimed sea timbers and informal seating invite locals and visitors to pause and enjoy.
“It’s an informal, yet carefully curated space for shoppers and passers-by. We wanted it to feel welcoming, quietly beautiful without shouting for attention.”
A Garden for Every Micro-Climate
Norfolk’s landscape also offers surprising planting opportunities, thanks to its varied micro-climates. Near Stalham, the East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden is sheltered from easterly winds and benefits from milder frosts, a rarity in East Anglia.
Owners Alan Gray and Graham Robeson have transformed what began as a private plot into 32 acres of themed garden ‘rooms’, from the exotic Desert Wash to the Dutch Garden and the Apple Walk.
“People step out of the car park and think, ‘I’ll need my coat.’ Then they get into the garden and take it off,” laughs Alan.
He’s especially proud of growing Eucalyptus trees from seed, now towering 70 feet high and delighted by the news of the upcoming RHS show.
“It’s about time we had something bigger at Sandringham. What the King is doing there is fantastic reinstating the Edwardian parterre sustainably is such a thoughtful touch.”
History in Bloom: Holkham Hall’s Walled Garden
Over at Holkham Hall, a walk through the Venetian gates reveals a garden with deep historical roots. Dating back to the 1780s, the Walled Garden spans six acres, divided into themed ‘slips. There are working kitchen gardens, exotic planting schemes, glasshouses, and even a heritage melon pit.
Head gardener Mark Morrell oversees this dynamic space, which supplies fresh produce and flowers to the estate, including The Victoria Inn.
“We celebrate the changing landscape with each season,” says Mark. “The garden is open until October, offering a different experience every time you visit.”
Don’t miss the Samuel Wyatt Vinery, now restored and filled with citrus and scented plants, or the new Walled Garden Stories exhibition, which delves into the garden’s fascinating past.
Hidden Gardens to Visit in Norfolk
Looking for the best gardens to visit in Norfolk? Don’t miss these hidden horticultural gems:
1. Houghton Hall Gardens
A five-acre formal garden designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman. Features include a kitchen garden, sculpture, rose parterre, and rustic temples.
houghtonhall.com
2. Plantation Garden, Norwich
A unique Victorian Gothic garden built into a former chalk quarry. Expect fountains, woodland paths, and a charming Italian terrace.
plantationgarden.co.uk
3. Hindringham Hall Gardens
This medieval moated estate offers ornamental ponds, vegetable gardens, and seasonal flowers.
hindringhamhall.org
4. Corpusty Mill Garden
Created by artists John and Roger Last, this secluded space features a grotto, gothic tower, fountains, and lake. Group visits by appointment only.
corpustymillgarden.co.uk
Norfolk’s gardens aren't just beautiful they’re full of ideas you can bring home. Whether you’re seeking serenity, structure, or seasonal interest, there’s inspiration growing around every corner.
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