The Bishop of Norwich historic private garden 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 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.
More than £25,000 raised for local charities in 2024
The Bishop of Norwich and his wife open their garden on selected spring and summer Sundays as part of Bishop Graham’s ministry.
The open garden events raised a total of £25,825 for 10 local charities between May and August 2024.
They attracted more than 3,000 visitors who enjoyed discovering the delights of the oldest private garden in Norwich, plus refreshments, stalls and entertainment.
The charities which held open garden events at the Bishop’s House Garden in 2024 were Norwich Samaritans, St Martins Housing Trust, CPRE Norfolk, Nelson’s Journey, St Barnabas Counselling Centre, Norwich Integration Partnership, the National Garden Scheme, Yare Valley Riding for the Disabled, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI and EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices).
The Bishop of Norwich and his wife will be opening Bishop’s House Garden again for another 10 local charities in 2025 – dates and charities to be announced – and would be delighted if you are able to visit.
Private garden tours for groups can be arranged at mutually convenient times through 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 palace.
From the existing garden, one can still marvel at the original detailing of 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 city centre garden. He pushed Bishopgate northwards, extending the grounds to their present size. The high walls that still survive were built nearly 700 years ago. He was also responsible for a large hall that was added to a grand porchway. This ruin still stands in the garden and is known as Bishop Salmon’s Porch.
The visible chapel building that remains 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 was Bishop Alnwick’s Gate, started by Bishop Alnwick in the early 1400s and completed by Bishop Lyhart in the mid-1400s.
The general form of the garden was laid down at least 300 years ago. The lower end was cultivated and separated by a wall running straight across the garden. The only remains of this wall are by the large London Plane tree which dominates the garden.
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 garden was reduced from 6 ½ acres down to the present 4 acres. Records show that in the 1940s up to 15 gardeners were employed and in the 1950s 9 were employed. Now the garden is looked after by 1 full-time and 1 part-time gardener.
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
Vic joined the team as Assistant Gardener in September 2021. To facilitate a career change, she completed a WRAGS traineeship in horticulture and is currently studying for RHS Level 2 certificate in horticulture. Vic is passionate about promoting sustainable practises and encouraging bio-diversity. She is interested in the beneficial effects of human interactions with plants, gardens and natural environments for well-being and is taking courses in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture.