Visit to Hunworth Hall - Sep 11th, 2022

Henry, a retired GP and Charlotte Crawley, an art historian were kind enough to invite the members of the Norfolk Garden Trust to visit their beautiful garden at Hunworth Hall on a lovely sunny day in September.

The Crawley family bought the Hall in 1965 and Henry and Charlotte moved in in 1983. The listed Grade II house is situated in the Upper Glaven Valley and was built in 1699.

The Crawleys researched the horticultural heritage of the garden which is modelled on the 17th Century Dutch Water Garden at Westbury Court in Gloucestershire, and went on to create the garden we see at Hunworth today.

The garden has twin canals with flowing lines of manicured hedging, a folly, and a raised walk at the back of the garden gives a view over the garden. The charm of the garden is in the amazing topiary. A remarkable number of lollipop shaped golden hollies, box balls, topiary yew trees, and firs looking much like emperor penguins beautify the garden and create a magical atmosphere.

It takes several weeks to cut and shape the topiary, and I understand that Henry Crawley does a considerable amount of the work himself. There is also a walled kitchen garden beyond the canals.

The garden opening was enjoyed by over 220 members and their guests, and teas served in the Village Hall next door proved to be very popular.