Helmingham Hall: Visiting the Gardens of Suffolk’s Moated Manor House
By Carl Scott
From mid-fifteenth century beginnings, Helmingham Hall in Suffolk is a Grade I Listed building that opens its gardens to the public, making it a fantastic destination to visit when staying at one of our Barns and Barges for rent. Surrounded by a moat extending just over 60 feet, the house, which is not accessible to the public, was initially constructed in 1510 before undergoing extensive alterations in the 18th century.
Whilst there can be no doubt that the house makes a striking impression, the gardens are every bit as exciting. Open from May to September, there is a range of semi-formal mixed gardens, a highly picturesque rose garden, an orchard, a wall garden, and more historic spaces like an allee and parterre. Pottering around this pastoral scene are herds of red and fallow deer that call the 400-acres beyond the gardens their home.
Such remarkable gardens are no simple accident of history and are in fact the product of Lady Alexandra Tollemache, an esteemed garden designer who operates under the alias Xa Tollemache. Tending to various other outstanding areas of beauty like the Millennium Garden at Castle Hill in Devon and Dunbeath Castle in Scotland, Lady Tollemache supervises the gardens at Helmingham to ensure their lasting beauty.
With free and ample parking available, guests at Woodfarm Barns are able to access the gardens and tea rooms within just ten minutes drive. To begin planning your trip to this destination now, be sure to take a look at the availability of our Barns for rent in Suffolk.
