The oldest private garden in Norwich is full of delights including dramatic double borders backed by cloud-pruned yew, a productive kitchen garden, a rose and hosta walk, a wildflower labyrinth with a 400-year-old pear tree at its heart, and a jungle walk through towering exotic plants.
The Bishop of Norwich’s historic garden is run organically and includes many rare and unusual plants, a hebe grown from a sprig taken from Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet in 1840, and a popular plant sales area.
The ancient garden continues to evolve with new plants and features introduced year by year.
Garden charity open days in 2025
The Bishop of Norwich and his wife open their garden for local charities on selected spring and summer Sundays as part of Bishop Graham’s ministry.
Last year more than 3,000 people visited the garden across the 10 charity open days, raising £25,825 for local good causes.
This year’s dates are:
11 May – Stepping Stones Project (for adults with learning difficulties)
18 May – Attleborough Music Project
1 June – Age UK Norwich
8 June – Norfolk Community Law Service
15 June – NANSA
22 June – The Norfolk Churches Trust
6 July – National Garden Scheme
13 July – Leeway
20 July – Vision Norfolk
27 July – RSPCA
Open 1-4.30pm (last entry 4pm) with refreshments, plant sales and more.
Admission £5, FREE for children and wheelchair-users. Assistance dogs only.
Bishop’s Garden, Norwich, NR3 1SB.
Private garden tours for groups can be arranged via the Bishop’s Finance and Facilities Assistant – email: louise.cumberland@dioceseofnorwich.org
History of the Garden
A historic private four-acre formal city centre garden has belonged to the Bishops of Norwich for more than 900 years.
One of the hidden gems of Norwich, there has been a garden here since around 1100 AD when Bishop de Losinga began to build the cathedral and the original bishop’s palace.
From the garden, guests can still marvel at glorious Norman stonework on the north transept of the cathedral, which is only visible from the Bishop’s Garden.
In the early 14th century, Bishop John Salmon greatly increased the size of the pushing Bishopgate northwards to extend the grounds to their present size. The high walls surrounding the garden are almost 700 years old. Bishop Salmon also commissioned a large hall with a grand porchway entrance – now a picturesque ruin in the gardens, known as Bishop Salmon’s Porch.
The chapel beside the upper lawn terrace was built around 1662 after Bishop Reynolds had the original 120ft-long chapel, and one of the largest halls of its time, demolished. Some of the stained glass windows visible today came from the previous building. It is now used by Norwich School and known as Bishop Reynold’s Library.
The last of the major medieval buildings in the Bishop’s Garden is Bishop Alnwick’s Gate, started by Bishop Alnwick in the early 1400s and completed by Bishop Lyhart in the mid-1400s.
The Old Bishop’s Palace, which still stands, was completed in around 1860. In 1959 a new Bishop’s House was built and the Old Palace was taken over by Norwich School.
The general form of the garden was laid down at least 300 years ago, with the lower end cultivated and bounded by a wall running across the garden. The remains of the wall can still be seen.
In the 1940s up to 15 gardeners were employed here. By the 1950s there were nine gardeners and today the garden is looked after by one full-time and one part-time gardener, plus the Bishop of Norwich.
The Gardeners
Tom Halliburton
Head gardener Tom Halliburton loves being part of a line of plant-lovers stretching back more than nine centuries who have cared for this ancient garden. He works hard to ensure the organic garden is a place of peace and calm and particularly enjoys propagating new plants and looking after the many rare species.
Tom studied landscape gardening and garden design at horticultural college before setting up his own gardening business. Now in charge of one of Norfolk’s most historic gardens he welcomes people to charity fund-raising afternoons and pre-booked tours and retreats.
The garden also has a small volunteer group and opportunities for work experience. Tom is keen to expand the friendly and welcoming gardening volunteer group. Anyone interested in joining should email him at head.gardener@dioceseofnorwich.org
Victoria Bleksley
Assistant gardener Vic is passionate about promoting sustainable practices and encouraging bio-diversity. She is interested in the beneficial effects of people’s interactions with plants, gardens and natural environments for well-being and has studied horticulture and social and therapeutic horticulture.