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Old Manor Farmhouse

Originally a field surrounding a derelict C17 listed Farmhouse (not open). Winning the 1991 Graham Allen Conservation Award, the garden structure, sympathetic to the Dutch style of the house was laid down. Open knot garden of box surrounded by pleached hornbeam, pollarded plane trees, beech and yew hedges divide areas and flank walks, herbaceous borders and lawns, clematis and rose walk to potager and paddock.

Owner Info

Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse
Old Manor Farmhouse

About Old Manor Farmhouse

The gardens surround a 17th Century Dutch gabled Grade 2 listed farmhouse rescued from dereliction in 1990. The gardens had been lost and really there was only a field surrounding the house when we began. Shortlisted for NGS Nations Favourite Garden 2023

The house and thatched Norfolk tithe threshing barn won the Graham Allen Award for Conservation in 1991.

Our concept was to create a garden which would have been in keeping with the period of the house. Our design was based on a series of rooms all interlinked with walks or lawns.
The rear of the house features a large south facing open box knot garden with central fountain and terrace surrounded by pleached hornbeam. Paths from here interconnect with a lawned herbaceous garden with rooms leading from it consisting of a shade garden, a purple beech room and a folly garden. The front of the house features a further small knot garden with central flower urn and box topiary. The main drive is lined with pollarded London planes. A clematis and rose walk lead to the paddock and tennis court. A lavender walk leads to the extensive formal potager garden, enclosed by pleached apple and pear trees. Initially a productive fruit and vegetable garden it now serves as a cutting garden for flowers. A previous bullock yard is now a working courtyard.

The joy for us is the gardens functionality. It needs to be explored and enjoyed by resting on the various seats around the rooms catching the sun at all times of the day.

Website:

https://www.hostebarn.com

Old Manor Farmhouse features

Location details

Old Manor Farmhouse,
Norwich,
Norfolk,
NR10 5EA

Directions to Old Manor Farmhouse
From Swanton Abbott, take Long Common Ln until you see the car park sign on The Hill. The garden is 100m along the lane. What3words app: brimmed.lift.middle.

Old Manor Farmhouse openings

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £6.00
Child: Free
Opening times 13:00-17:00

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £6.00
Child: Free
Opening times 09:00-17:00

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £6.00
Child: Free
Opening times 09:00-17:00

Visit by Arrangement

This garden opens for By Arrangement visits from April to August.

Please contact the garden owner to discuss your requirements and arrange a date for a group or bespoke visit.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £10.00
Child: Free

Accessibility

  • No information available at this time, please get in touch with the owners for details.
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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Old Manor Farmhouse. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Old Manor Farmhouse. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

There are no plants for sale for the time being.

Sorry, Old Manor Farmhouse does not yet accommodate wheelchair users.

Yes. Old Manor Farmhouse seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.