The Plantation Garden

The Plantation Garden

The Plantation Garden
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
A beautifully restored Victorian garden of 3 acres which is run by volunteers for the benefit of the community. All your entrance fees go the the upkeep of the garden, new plants etc. On Sundays in summer teas are served to musical entertainment. PLEASE NOTE: TOILETS are only open when there are volunteers on duty...on Sundays in the summer and for special events. Please see our website for details of events and opening times. Refreshments and toilets are available at St. John's Cathedral Narthex next door. We regret we have NO PARKING, but there is a pay and display carpark next door.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Dreamer715311
    93 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hidden gem
    A hidden gem in the City of Norwich. Great music on Sunday’s in the summer months. Home made cakes too. Plants for sale. Love this place for it’s tranquility and beautiful gardens.
    Thank you for your review!
    Written April 9, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 28, 2024
  • Discover26657238403
    13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely visit in summer sunshine
    We have been visiting these lovely gardens for many years yet still we find a lot of Norfolk people do not know about it. It has been much improved over the years by the volunteers and really looked lovely in the sunshine yesterday and the grass was beautifully green after many weeks of rain. Be very careful in the car park next door in the hotel grounds. Doesn’t take cash and you have to download theRingGo app. We spent 45 minutes trying to do so but it failed either because the internet connection dropped off or it kept repeating the same question countless times. In the end we went to the hotel and a kind receptionist sorted us out which she is not supposed to do. Otherwise it will cost you £100!! Very well worth the visit and the £2 donation.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 19, 2024
  • Gerald B
    Norwich, United Kingdom42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Why haven't we been before?
    Having moved to Norwich in 1978 and lived in the Western quarter of the City ever since we have known about these gardens, but never visited, until today. We will return! Having what is nowadays considered a generous size garden at home the volunteer man hours (if I can say that nowadays) required to keep it as it is, particularly the "sides" can only be marvelled at. Long may they continue to provide this haven of peace. If on foot in the City head for the Roman Catholic Cathedral. The No.26 bus from the railway station, through the City centre and towards the University stops close to the entrance in both directions. Again the Roman Catholic cathedral is your guide. Privately run car parking is available at the adjacent Earlham Hotel, but requires payment by an app. A modest ÂŁ2 donation per head is requested to help finance its continued care.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 22, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles507 reviews
Excellent
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Average
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Blueprints of Britain
Bury St. Edmunds, UK44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
This is a fantastic place to walk through and enjoy a moment of peace! Very close to the city centre, but it makes you feel like you are miles away from the bustle of the city. Definitely a must-stop when visiting Norwich. The garden is only open during the day, and there is an honest box with an entrance fee of ÂŁ2 pp. On the way to the garden from the city centre, you can explore the beautiful Cathedral of St John the Baptist.
Written January 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great review! Thank you.
Written February 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

PBPG
Yorkshire, UK8,486 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Friends
East to miss these spectacular sunken gardens. There is a very reasonably priced car park just next to the entry, it cost us ÂŁ1.40 for an hour. An honesty box is available with a suggested ÂŁ2 price, worth much more than that.
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mariak402016
London, UK18 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Couples
Lovely unique gardens quite unexpected in the town centre as it's quite hidden away its beautiful, very well kept thanks to the year round volunteers who do a brilliant job. Interesting info dotted around about the owner and history of the place. We was here early April still quite cold but very bright morning. Took lovely pics. It's quite compact so not suitable for crowds but would be an ideal spot for summer picnics (alcohol not allowed) or lazing an hour away. Lovely bridge spans the gardens walking up through a maze of steps (not suitable for wheelchairs. ) Pleasant morning spent wondering around it is definitely worth a visit. ÂŁ2 per adult goes in the honesty box or donate online as we did. Ps. Well done volunteers keep up the good work!
Written April 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Maria for your kind review!
Written May 19, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sarah
Norwich, UK5 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
Beautiful setting, love this Victorian garden. Paradise! The only thing we could fault was a miserable male staff member telling us to move our blanket and rushing us off the top lawn. He then gave no reason other than wanting to put ghastly metal table and chairs there. They were blinding and an eye sore in the sun. The chairs ruined the stunning view of the waterfall and the man couldn’t have been any ruder to us. Ruined our day and my friends daughter was very upet - what makes it worse was that by the time we walked round, he had put around 30 chairs out and there were only a handful of people sitting there (not even on the place we were sitting!) I would say that £2 per person was over priced for considering we were told to move after sitting for less than 20 minutes. We would have enjoyed our afternoon much more and stayed longer if we hadn’t been made to feel uncomfortable. It left a bad taste in a beautiful environment. Such a shame.
Written August 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Caroline B
Norwich, UK11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Friends
I love this place. Went with my sister who had not been before and she was so impressed. Feel so grateful that the hard work of others can bring such joy and delight to us visitors. Was disappointed to see many people walking in snd not paying the mere ÂŁ2 entry fee.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you enjoy the garden.
Written July 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

SteveByfleet
Leatherhead, UK342 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
Right next to the Catholic Cathedral, this haven of calm is worth the hefty ÂŁ2 entry fee, it's payable in cash through a 'trust box' or via your phone. The grounds are a true delight, the planting is lovely and sometimes unusual, and a great place to take a sandwich lunch a short way from the hustle of the city centre. Don't miss it!!
Written October 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great review! Thanks!
Written October 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BNA20152015
Bath, UK433 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
To find the gardens head for the Roman Catholic cathedral ( well worth a visit ! ).
A very interesting bridge takes you over a busy roundabout!
Take some ÂŁ1 coins to pay the ÂŁ2 entry fee or spoil them and leave a fiver!

The gardens are amazing and well worth a visit. Quite a bit of climbing to do to visit some of the viewpoints but well worth the effort.

We really enjoyed our visit and, because it is ' off the beaten track ', you will have space to yourselves.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A great review! Thank you.
Written July 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

The Royal Rambler
United Kingdom120 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
We stumbled across the beautiful and serene gardens on a day trip to Norwich - and we are very glad we did.

The gardens are stunning. There is a peaceful atmosphere here. The gardens are so secret and quiet, it felt like we were in another world far away from the city centre.

The photos don't do it justice, so please take 20 minutes out of your day to have a wander and a wonder!

A definite must-do if you're visiting Norwich.
Written November 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great review! Thank you.
Written February 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

AlinaRC
Hertfordshire1,820 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
The Plantation Gardens are about five minutes walk from the city centre. As soon as you enter, the traffic noise falls away and everything is green and peaceful. The gardens make full use of their setting, in a former chalk quarry. In the base of the quarry are more formal, Victorian flower beds. Above, a series of paths and rustic bridges wend their way around the former quarry walls. Its an unusual mix of styles with a combination of both gothic and Italian elements. The most prominent feature is the elaborate fountain, sitting in a lily pond. There are plenty of benches to sit down and relax. There are no toilet facilities unless there is an event, and the closest are next door in the Catholic cathedral. There is no catering/ cafe again unless there is an event on but you are welcome to bring a picnic. Admission is by an honesty box for ÂŁ2.

I didn't know if there would be much to see after all the dry weather, but the planting was looking in very good condition.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BeckyontheRadio
Chelmsford, UK35 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Really enjoyed our trip to the Plantation Gardens. It's beautifully quiet and the flowers were incredible. There was a handful of other people in there at the same time as us but it wasn't busy. It's tucked away from everything else but it is well worth the walk out and the time spent walking around. We did it in about 30 minutes but I'm sure you could spend more time there if the weather was warmer! It does ask for ÂŁ2 per person as you enter, but there's also a text option to pay if you have no change. We took the text option and it was a quick way to pay for our entry.
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Becky! Glad you enjoyed your quick visit!
Written May 19, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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The Plantation Garden - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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