Wednesday 31st May 2023 Visit to Hoveton Hall Estate and Gardens

What a delightful afternoon! Today, 18 members of our group had the great pleasure in visiting Hoveton Hall Estate for a tour of the house and gardens. This beautiful house is owned and lived in by Harry and Rachel Buxton and their four children. They invited us into their family home with great hospitality and the afternoon started with refreshments in their dining room. On this rather chilly last day of May, we were all grateful for the open fire blazing away by the massive dining table that seated us all. Rachel warmly welcomed us and her husband then gave a very informative and amusing talk about the history of his home and the previous owners. The several portraits in this room were introduced and brought ‘alive’ by Harry’s interesting and funny stories! We then moved on to the drawing room / staircase hall where we admired the very impressive, cantilevered staircase and continued listening to Harry’s history talk. Our tour of the downstairs of the house finally took us to the library, which was entirely built in cedar wood. With its unique reddish hue and scent, it was a stunning room! For dates and further reading of the history see; https://www.hovetonhallestate.co.uk/about/history/ Harry then gave a tour and talk of his immediate garden and early 19^th century glasshouse before we could enjoy our own walk around the woodland garden. It was spectacular with all the magnificent colours of the azaleas and rhododendrons in full bloom, amongst other woodland and water plants. Our lovely stroll took us to the re-established, walled herbaceous border garden with the addition of the curious Spider Gate. A truly wonderful, well kept, and looked after garden was greatly admired by all of us! By now we were ready to return to the house and the warmth in the dining room. The dining table had been prepared for us with a Cream Tea and looked even more inviting than on arrival. As well as several cups of tea, we devoured Rachel’s freshly made scones. Both gorgeous cheese scones and delicious plain scones with piles of jam, cream and fresh strawberries were on the menu. All beautifully presented and very much enjoyed! Before ending the afternoon, we thanked Rachel and her caterers for looking after us so well and for a magnificent event. We are rather hoping that Rachel might consider our invitation to our WI, and that we may see her as a new member in the future! Thank you to our President Sally Church, for organising this visit and we are very sorry that, due to illness, she couldn’t take part today. By Helene Hayden, Programme Secretary
Here is a link to all our photographs https://photos.app.goo.gl/8ezpCEp5iTRcpUaH9

What a delightful afternoon!

Today, 18 members of our group had the great pleasure in visiting Hoveton Hall Estate for a tour of the house and gardens.

This beautiful house is owned and lived in by Harry and Rachel Buxton and their four children. They invited us into their family home with great hospitality and the afternoon started with refreshments in their dining room. On this rather chilly last day of May, we were all grateful for the open fire blazing away by the massive dining table that seated us all. Rachel warmly welcomed us and her husband then gave a very informative and amusing talk about the history of his home and the previous owners. The several portraits in this room were introduced and brought ‘alive’ by Harry’s interesting and funny stories! We then moved on to the drawing room / staircase hall where we admired the very impressive, cantilevered staircase and continued listening to Harry’s history talk. Our tour of the downstairs of the house finally took us to the library, which was entirely built in cedar wood. With its unique reddish hue and scent, it was a stunning room!

For dates and further reading of the history see; https://www.hovetonhallestate.co.uk/about/history/

Harry then gave a tour and talk of his immediate garden and early 19^th century glasshouse before we could enjoy our own walk around the woodland garden. It was spectacular with all the magnificent colours of the azaleas and rhododendrons in full bloom, amongst other woodland and water plants. Our lovely stroll took us to the re-established, walled herbaceous border garden with the addition of the curious Spider Gate. A truly wonderful, well kept, and looked after garden was greatly admired by all of us!

By now we were ready to return to the house and the warmth in the dining room. The dining table had been prepared for us with a Cream Tea and looked even more inviting than on arrival. As well as several cups of tea, we devoured Rachel’s freshly made scones. Both gorgeous cheese scones and delicious plain scones with piles of jam, cream and fresh strawberries were on the menu. All beautifully presented and very much enjoyed!

Before ending the afternoon, we thanked Rachel and her caterers for looking after us so well and for a magnificent event. We are rather hoping that Rachel might consider our invitation to our WI, and that we may see her as a new member in the future!

Thank you to our President Sally Church, for organising this visit and we are very sorry that, due to illness, she couldn’t take part today.

By Helene Hayden, Programme Secretary

Here is a link to all our photographs https://photos.app.goo.gl/8ezpCEp5iTRcpUaH9