SALLE PARK ESTATE GARDENS

Norfolk open Gardens

  All Gardens 

No open days in 2012

 

Private guided tours of the gardens can be arranged by appointment.

Please contact Katie Manning, mobile 07717575965 or the estate office 01603 870499

 

Location:

1 mile North East of Reepham. Off the B1145, between Cawston & Reepham, Norfolk.

Salle gardens, part of the Salle Park Estate owned by Sir John White. Salle Park is a traditional Norfolk arable farming estate of 4200 acres, but within this thriving estate can also be found much diversity, seen more and more in modern day country estates. Foresters, game keepers, house staff, office staff, farmers and of course gardens staff can all be found busily taking care of their pieces of Salle Park.

The house was built in 1763, in the mid Georgian period, at this time records show some basic gardens with lawns and borders. For many years the gardens at Salle had fallen into decline, but now in the present day they are being given the chance to blossom again. Today the gardens consist of two sections, a Georgian style pleasure garden of formal lawns and topiary, with rose gardens, specimen trees and shrubs, winter border, wild flowers and colourful spring display. On the right side of the house is a lovely orangery, with exotic planting.

Then hidden away behind its protective blanket of trees, are the walls and the door that opens to the magical world of the walled kitchen garden. Fully productive, being managed in an authentic and traditional way, it now once again provides for all the ‘big houses’ fruit, vegetable and cut flowers needs. There is also enough left over for a small box scheme. Built in the 1780s and still retaining many original features, with vine house, display glass house, new herbaceous borders, orchard and ice house.

Charged with the task of bringing Salle Parks Gardens back to life was Head gardener Joe Whitehead. He came to Salle Park Estate in June 2005 after studying and training at the RHS gardens at Wisley. Helped by assistant gardener Steve Bowes a retired police man and accomplished vegetable grower together with energetic volunteers and horticultural students. The kitchen garden is once again brimming with activity, and the ornamental pleasure grounds now reinstated and very much developing. The future of Salle gardens should now hopefully be full of promise. In 2009 Joe Whitehead left to pursue new challenges. Katie Manning has taken over as Head gardener at Salle Park Estate and continuing Joe’s work.

Private guided tours of the garden can be arranged by appointment.

Please contact Katie Manning, mobile 07717575965 or the estate office 01603 870499