Colourful gardens of Lexham Hall to open to the public

The glorious gardens of Lexham Hall are being opened to the public again at a time when they are at their most colourful.

Visitors will be able to wander through acres of woodland, stroll by the banks of the River Nar and take in the backcloth of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias which are a blaze of colour at this time of year.

The grounds of the Grade 11 listed hall are open in aid of the National Garden Scheme on Sunday, May 23.

The hall is the home of the Foster family and hosts charity events three times a year with snowdrop walks in February, the coming event this month and another on Wednesday, July 21.

Anthea Foster said: “Each event supports a local charity – in May it is the Tapping House Hospice and in July Nelson's Journey.”

The gardens will be open from 11am until 5pm, admission for adults is £7.50 with children free and there will be home-made refreshments and plants for sale.

She said that dogs would be allowed for the first time at the summer event but they must be on leads.

Visitors will be able to see the rare example of a ‘crinkle-crankle’ wall on the north side and many hundreds of species of plants, shrubs and trees. Examples include a Giant Redwood towering more than 130ft high, a handkerchief tree, tulip tree and the fine collection of rhododendrons which dates back more than 50 years.

Visitors who want to find out more will be able to chat to the two gardeners who will be there on the day.

The Hall is at East Lexham, two miles west of Litcham and signed from the B1145.