Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden South Walsham Norwich
Fairhaven Woodland Admission Prices
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden Ticket Admission prices. Standard admission prices include a 10% voluntary donation as part of the Gift Aid scheme. Income from Gift Aid goes straight into projects within the garden such as improving access, new plantings and restoration projects.
Adults £7.50 – Chilrdren 4 – 16 £3.95 Children under 4 free. Dogs on leads 30p (poop scoop provided. A great big thank you to those that have helped us with Gift Aid. This year we are creating a new viewing point and continuing the West Garden Restoration and Kingfisher walk
Abouit Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
Fairhaven was created by Major Henry Broughton, who later became the 2nd Lord Fairhaven. The Fairhaven hall, woodland, water garden and inner broad were all part of the South Walsham Estate, which he bought in 1946. The Fairhaven house and formal gardens had been used as a convalescence home and the woodland and water garden as a training ground for the home guard during World War Two. Pleasure boats were sunk in the inner broad, which was also covered with barbed wire, to prevent flying boat landings. Tanks were hidden in the garden; some of the tank bays can be seen in the garden today. The house had fallen into disrepair and the garden had become a jungle.
Wonderful woodlands and Garden at Fairhaven
Initially efforts were concentrated on restoring the house. The family moved into South Walsham Hall in 1947. The 2nd Lord Fairhaven was an active and enthusiastic gardener and designed the garden himself. He had a team of seven gardeners and two woodmen to assist him in clearing the dense jungle that had grown up in what is now the main garden. He gradually introduced shade and water loving plants, the most spectacular being Candelabra Primula. Thousands of these colourful plants flower during May and early June. Other plants were imported from around the world, such as the Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton Americanus) from North America and Camellias and Rhododendrons from the Himalayas. It took 15 years to create the garden.
Many of the trees were grown in a dedicated tree nursery and huge greenhouses meant that more than 90% of the plants could be grown from seed. In 1966 Major Broughton became the 2nd Lord Fairhaven, receiving the title as his elder brother had no heirs. Lord Fairhaven died in 1973. He had requested that the garden be left in Trust for the public to enjoy. The title of Lord Fairhaven passed onto his son Ailwyn, the 3rd Lord Fairhaven who is Chairman of the Fairhaven Garden Trust. The garden opened to the public on the 18th of April 1975.
Fairhaven Woodland and Water garden is 130 acres of cultivated, wild and natural plantings and a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Fairhaven Woodland and water garden has almost 4 miles of woodland pathways to explore and encourage the child to discover the abundant wildlife. With stunning views over our private Broad bound to inspire the budding artist, this is the place to be to appreciate and to see the wonders of the Broad.
What’s on at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
Please check our website for up to date details.
Fairhaven Woodland Educational Visits
Check our website for up to date details.
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden Boat Trips
Boat trips start again in 2021.
Fairhaven Woodland Tearoom Cafe
During Covid 19 The Tearoom is currently offering a picnic and takeaway service. We have a selection of daily specials including quiches, salads and panini, as well as all the lovely cakes and scones you would expect. We hope to have our inside seating area open by the end of September.
The tearoom is open all year and entry is free; non garden visitors are welcome to use the tearoom. Our Breakfast menu is available from 10 until 11.30 am. A selection of light lunches and homemade specials are available from 12 noon until 3pm. A summer specialty is our homemade scones served with jam, fresh cream and your choice of Fair Trade tea or coffee.
A wide selection of cakes, suitable for all, are available all day, many made locally or by our lovely kitchen team. Much of our menu is locally sourced and we cater for most dietary requirements, including coeliacs. Wherever possible we use Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance products.
Sadly we cannot allow your canine companions into the tea room, but if you would like to sit outside with your dog then we do offer a bowl of fresh water. If you have any questions, you can call the Fairhaven tearoom on 01603 270449.
Whether your local or just visiting beautiful Norfolk there is something for everyone of all ages. We hope to see you soon.