National Garden Scheme

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  Norwell is extremely lucky in nestling in gently rolling, beautiful countryside with old brick cottages and farmhouses. Although close to the A1 it is a secluded gem with a strong community spirit. Within the village there are a wealth of very different, yet all beautiful and uplifting gardens reflecting the broad spectrum of ages and interests of the garden owners. The allotments are one parish focal point where the heavy clay of the surrounding area has been ameliorated to some extent by decades of working and manure. The recent resurgence in grow-your-own has been echoed here and innovation continues with some plots being laid down to Olympic Park style annual flower mixes to attract pollinating insects and other wildlife. Perfect 'hospital corner' beds with precision rows and a very commendable 'no pick policy' until the garden open weekend is over are interspersed with family plots where children grow marigolds with marrows, petunias with parsnips and sunflowers with strawberries. They are also the fertile ground for many first prizes at the Norwell Garden Club vegetable show. Allotments are rarely open and this gives a unique opportunity to see nearly twenty five different endeavours all reflecting a different gardening style personified in plants.
  By opening as a group it is possible to see gardens which wouldn't necessarily think of opening on their own but which are extremely interesting and inspirational in their own right. They show the garden visitor an evolution over the years rather than just being presented with a near finished project, thus allowing the seasoned watcher a sense of participation in the process. One garden cleverly borrows the bucolic landscape to give frame to the mature plantings and patio areas, whilst others are curtained by high brick walls which gives the opportunity for vertical displays.
  Due to the nature of the village most properties have cottage style plantings usually with abundant roses but also with some areas of contemporary design.
  Norwell also boasts a garden of national renown, receiving coach parties from across the country, it has developed in the last twenty five years from a bramble infested, frost hollowed, muddy mire to a plant haven where thousands of rare and unusual alpines, perennials, trees and shrubs from all corners of the world thrive. Still being added to, the work of soil improvement continues and with it comes the opportunity to add even more variety to that on show. The garden has colour from early spring to late autumn with shade lovers coming to the fore early on, then the herbaceous beds and colour themed gardens take over for a summer symphony. This ebbs during August and then redoubles for a glorious swan-song in September and October, the daisy beds in particular covered in foraging bees and a myriad of butterflies. Although an acre in size it is made up of smaller areas whose inspirational ideas could easily be transferred to a typical garden plot. The adjacent nursery propagates plants from the garden and has often been described as a sweetie shop for plants!
  The village environs are rich in wildlife, eloquently described in a monthly parish magazine article. The open gardens are an abundant source of these plants, insects and animals, many have wildlife areas and ponds which adds to the diversity of those coming in from the water meadows and summer flowering meadows of the church grounds. The parish church of St Laurence will be open for quiet contemplation.
  In short many National Garden Scheme guests are repeat visitors, lulled by the peace and quiet and enticed to make a return journey by the promise of constantly evolving stimulating gardens, brought to fruition by creative gardeners; and very good cakes!
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Features and Attractions

The beautiful medieval church and its peaceful churchyard with grass labyrinth will be open for quiet contemplation.