Houghton Hall wisteria

On this trip to Norfolk I was looking round gardens for wisteria.

Belton had some in a surprising spot by the entrance. Blickling had walls covered with it. So I thought we'd pretty much found peak wisteria - till I saw Houghton's pergola!

There's lots to see as you enter the walled garden.

In a far corner though, glimpsed at first beyond formal hedging, lies an enchanting surprise. Not just a plant or two but a tunnel of gorgeous lilac wisteria

Walking underneath it is almost like being in a fairy-tale. The nearest thing I've seen to it is the laburnum arch at Bodnant, but lovely as that is it doesn't have the scent or enchantment of wisteria. It helps that at Houghton there were far fewer people in the garden, and, while we were there, no one else under the wisteria pergola.

Still photos can't really capture the wonder of it, so do go if you have the opportunity.

Houghton's walled garden occupies 5 acres so there's lots much to see - long magnificent herbaceous border, quiet nooks with statues or water features, a greenhouse with exotic flowers and fruit, a cottage-garden style vegetable patch with flowers.rambling among the productive rows.

 

Seaside

Despite the warm weather I hadn't intended this to be a beach holiday but even so I wasn't going to go to Norfolk and not visit the seaside. Walking round Felbrigg had left me too exhausted to think of going that evening, but Blickling hadn't proved so strenuous and after our visit there we headed to Cromer for fish and chips from No 1 restaurant.

My intention had been to grab a tale-away and sit by the sea, but the earlier pleasant breeze had turned into a gale! Walking along the seafront was definitely bracing, the pier was too windy to sit there for long, and the wind whistled down Cromer's narrow streets.

Fortunately No 1 has an indoor restaurant, with wonderful views out to sea, so we ate in comfort without losing our food to the wind.

Nest day we were heading home, but not without another visit to the coast - this time at Cley-next-the-Sea.

We started with a  second breakfast at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's visitor centre, followed by a walk through the marshes into Cley itself. This isn't really seaside but the marshes are strange and otherworldly with a beauty all of their own. The serious birdwatchers were impressed by activity within the nature reserve, but I'm not very clued-up on birds and was excited to spot a swan 

From the windmill we walked along the boardwalk which leads behind houses by the creek, then back through the village stopping in at galleries along the way.

Then back to the visitor centre for cake before heading on our way.
 

Blickling Hall - wisteria and rhododendrons

Our day at Blickling started out in the parkland on the search for bluebells. I've seen photos online of woodland carpeted with a stunning blue carpet of flowers and hoped to find it. Two things were against us - it was a little late in the season so the flowers would be past their best, and we didn't know where to look.

I'd seen mention of bluebells on a circular walk near the lake so that's where we headed. We did find some but not the masses I'd expected. In the car park later, a guide said we hadn't been in the best area, so that's a walk for another year.

Still this was a pretty walk and not too strenuous to start the day. There were glimpses of the house in the distance, views over the lake, dragonflies along the path, and pretty paths to follow.

Back to the car then and round to the main entrance to the house and gardens.

It's always an imposing building but on this occasion I was absolutely stunned by the wisteria growing along the building which houses the cafe and shop. 

Then, inside the gardens there was even more! This time along the top of, and tumbling over, the retaining wall between lower and upper gardens. Absolutely wonderful!

Walking onwards then into the upper garden, where the central grassed walk was lined with beautiful hydrangeas.

I've visited Blickling many times but I think this occasion it was at its most impressive