Raveningham Gardens

Raveningham Gardens are set out as the Edwardian plans with large herbaceous borders surrounding a Victorian walled kitchen garden. In the 1960s the planting was enhanced by the inspiration of Priscilla Lady Bacon, an energetic plantswoman who collected many rare species from around the world transforming the garden over 50 years.

The walled kitchen garden was brought back to full working order in the last 20 years and is now producing fruit and vegetables for the House. There is a fine late 19th century Boulton and Paul range of glasshouses, stocked conservatory and melon pits, all in working order. A Millennium project by Nicholas Bacon to build a lake on the North side of the House is now firmly established as is an Arboretum that was planted after the destruction of a wood in the 1987 gale; this gave an opportunity to plant a large variety of trees and shrubs under a plan designed by the eminent plantsman Roy Lancaster.

New additions to the garden include a Herb Garden and a Garden designed around Francis Bacon’s essays based on the passage of Time. Sculptures by Susan Bacon add to the landscape which is surrounded by an 18th century Park with grand oaks of great age.

The main specialities of the garden are Galanthus and Hellebores in early spring, later in the season Priscilla Bacon’s collections of Euphorbias and Agapanthus are a main feature. This is fundamentally a Country House Garden that is timeless within the context of evolving ideas and energies.

Most of the garden is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.

Reviews

"The gardens at Raveningham are always a delight to visit." Sunday Times

"Obviously a plantsman's garden, but far more than that." Country Life

"The garden is crammed with interesting and rare specimens." Sunday Telegraph

Most of the garden is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.

Tea Room -

Currently closed but outdoor Tea hut available for takeaway refreshments and light bites.

2023 Events

We start the year with snowdrops on 1st February. Every Sunday in February will raise funds for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice. When our main season starts in May spring bulbs and shrubs will be flowering. In May you can see both spring and wild flowers around the Garden. The roses will be looking good in June, followed by the amazing agapanthus in July and August, with late flowering in September. Summer is also the best time to see the Victorian walled kitchen garden in full swing with salad crops, vegetables and soft fruits interspersed with companion flowers.

SNOWDROPS – FEBRUARY

Open Sunday to Friday 1st February until February 28th  (closed Saturdays). 11am to 4pm

Our Tea Hut will be open too to warm you up with soup & a roll and a selection of homemade cakes

Our famous snowdrops season – favourites of Lady Priscilla Bacon.

Our charity days are every Sunday in February (proceeds will go to the Priscilla Bacon Hospice).

Further details of 2022 programme to be announced shortly

GROUP Visits

Available by prior arrangement where possible throughout the year.

Learn more of our gardens & history with our group visits. For more details of group visits of between 10 – 30 people, please contact [email protected] or call her on 01508 548480.

2023 Opening Days and Times

February – Daily, excluding Saturdays, 11am – 4pm

May  – Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 11am – 4pm

June – Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 11am – 4pm

July –  Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays 11am – 4pm

August – Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays 11am – 4pm

September – Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 11am – 4pm

CLOSED BANK HOLIDAYS

Our Gardens will close at 4pm on Friday September 29th for the 2023 Season

Costings for individual visits

£7 per person, £6 with concessions, under 16s free

Pre-booking is not necessary

Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Please see the EVENTS page on our website for more details of our Special Openings in 2023.

We are open for both individual visits and for Group Visits. For more information on tours (for 10 people minimum) or for any queries, please contact [email protected] 01508 548480

Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

Please note we are closed on all bank holidays.