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Helmingham Hall Gardens

Helmingham Hall Gardens: Hours, Address, Helmingham Hall Gardens Reviews: 4.5/5

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Helmingham Hall Gardens

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Helmingham Hall Gardens
4.5
248
#1 of 1 things to do in Helmingham
Gardens
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11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
248 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
59
Average
19
Poor
8
Terrible
9
Ferret2108
Walton-on-the-Naze, UK66 contributions
Beautiful place but quicker tearoom service needed.
Family
Visited for the first time, chose the Autumn Gardens Halloween Trail which was a ticketed event by pre-booking only. Beautiful grounds, magnificent hall, lovely gift shop with a huge range of choices and a fun Halloween trail in the wooded area for the children. Overall we had a lovely visit but I feel the tearoom needs looking at because it took an absolute age to queue for a simple cup of tea and cake. Signs ask you to select a table first, note table number, then go and order, but because the queue was so long and moving so slowly, the tearoom was full of tables awaiting food. Not sure if the tearoom needs more staff or a better ordering system…..but it could do with some focus to speed up the process of ordering food. Maybe table service? All that said, we would definitely return and we have tickets booked for Christmas.
Written October 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael M
Ipswich, UK471 contributions
Illuminated Garden Trail.
We had a very enjoyable family evening at the illuminated garden trail event. Well organised with helpful staff from start to finish. Social distancing was respected and hand sanitising stations provided throughout. The trail winds its way through the gardens and woods with the magnificent Helmingham Hall providing a stunning backdrop. You cross the bridge over the moat to the beautiful courtyard where you can purchase refreshments and mulled wine or flashing toy wands for the kids at £4 each. The lights have been well thought out and designed, i liked the disco balls and the fairy in the jar displays.. There is another refreshment marquee halfway round to grab a coffee or toast marshmallows. The first time i have enjoyed being out during this Covid pandemic.
Written December 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Laura C
Ipswich, UK7 contributions
Friendly staff, lovely coffee
Family
Wow! Amazed at recent reviews here, people seem to be wondering why they have to queue or wear masks in shops!! Neither of these are the fault of the wonderful staff in the shop or tea rooms!
We’re regular visitors because Helmingham is wonderful in the fact dogs are welcome everywhere, it’s nice to keep an eye on them inside the shop rather than having to leave them outside like some places make you. ❤️
The shop even sells veggies grown on the estate which are always fresh, the different local crafts work really well with the whole style of the shops.
The lady in the shop is really knowledgeable about the estate, and letting us know of upcoming events, which is great as we want to come back at christmas for the lights again.Despite it getting so much busier she’s always friendly and willing to help with any enquiries the signage in the shops and tea rooms are really clear too, which makes life a lot easier
The coffee and cakes from the tea rooms are wonderful, My girls love the ice creams so it’s a treat to have the opportunity to sit in the sun and see all the wonderful plants,
Part of our lockdown project was to take pictures of the garden and write stories, so we’ve spent a lot of time there and will do so till they close for the season.
Written August 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelminghamHall
Many thanks for your review - we are thrilled you enjoyed your visit and we hope to see you again soon!
Written September 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lou C
3 contributions
Cafe did not reach expectation
Beautiful moated 16th Century house surrounded by formal gardens and parkland. It's worth visiting for this. There are small number of pop up shops on site. We went specifically for a drink and light refreshment, so didn't pay £7 to view the gardens. I went for the scone and butter, not the Devon tea with cream and tea. I had expected a higher standard of baked goods to be honest. The scone was quite small and lacked any flavour, with a heavy texture. The tea pot was very small.... you couldn't even get a second cup out of it. Hence, I have scored it 'poor' as there are places in Suffolk where you get a better scone and a cuppa at more reasonable prices.
Written May 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelminghamHall
Many thanks for the review. We do not run the tea rooms in-house, but we will be sure to pass your feedback on.
Written June 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robin N
Barton, UK77 contributions
Amazing Gardens - a photographer’s dream!
Beautifully laid out and with a very useful map to orientate your journey through the various sections, with comprehensive plant information also within each section, a thoroughly uplifting experience. Polite and helpful staff beautiful setting, and a discounted entry through membership of CPRE, most appreciated .. thank you!

We stayed as long as the sun allowed, and despite the recent spell of bad weather there was still plenty to see in the sections despite May being the wettest month on record!
Written June 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelminghamHall
We are so pleased you enjoyed your visit! Thank you for taking the time to review.
Written June 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Garrie G
1 contribution
Stunning Illuminated Gardens.Trail
Stunning Illuminated Gardens.Trail. Walking this trail on a damp, dark, November night was genuinely awe inspiring. The artistry of the lighting displays, the highlighted trees, the different themed gardens, the reflections in the waters of the moat, and the backdrop of the subtly lit Hall served up a calming, atmospheric experience beyond expectations. Fantastic!
Written December 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hannibalbrown
England55 contributions
Outstanding gardens.
Superb gardens. Beautifully kept and lots to see. Topiary, vegetables, roses, knot garden, helpfully labels – everything was outstanding – and then there were magnificent trees, fields, deer, sheep and a Tudor moated house... a real treat. As we said to the very friendly gardener, we are regular visitors to RHS Wisley, and Helmingham was certainly its equal today. We spent approx 3 hours including a stop for tea (cakes were fantastic too!). No surprise that this garden has won prizes.
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelminghamHall
Thank you for the lovely review - we are thrilled you enjoyed your time with us and hope to welcome you back!
Written July 13, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fred R
Ely, UK83 contributions
Beware - Google for Special Events
Couples
The opening times are clearly stated on the website, however in brackets it does state ‘special events may alter opening times’. However the website of the gardens does not actually provide details of these special events, not even on the day of these events.

We arrived today to be turned away as the gardens were closed due to a classic car show taking place. The very polite event steward admitted that it was a more than rare occurrence for would be garden visitors who, like us, had checked the website to turn up when the gardens were closed due to a special event.

100 mile round trip wasted.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelminghamHall
Many thanks for your review. I'm sorry to disagree with it though as we have a What's On page which is very clear on our website and lists all of our Special Events. The Festival of Classic & Sports Cars was listed here along with all of our special events and had been since March! The answer machine message also listed details of the event in case people called and we were not around to answer the call. Social media details the events also. When we have special events the gardens are also open to our guests included in the special event price. Many thanks.
Written August 2, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joanne T
West Malling, UK7 contributions
Beautiful Gardens and dogs allowed hurrah!
Friends
thoroughly enjoyed our day out at these lovely gardens. lots of colour and variety. A credit to the staff and gardener's. we have a small dog and could not leave her in the holiday cottage we were staying in alone so it was a huge bonus that dogs are allowed in. Many NT and other gardens in the area we could not visit as dogs are not allowed. we all felt the entry price was reasonable and worth the money.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelminghamHall
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your visit - many thanks!
Written August 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PGFm
East Anglia, UK9 contributions
Beautiful gardens , but be aware tickets sold from the shop so take a face mask
Garden looking great, fantastic perennial borders and vegetable borders. Contrary to information on the website which said face masks were not necessary, tickets had to be purchased in the shop which requires face mask wearing. The assistant was unwilling or unable to bring the card machine to the doorway nor to accept that the information on the website was confusing
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HelminghamHall
Many thanks for your review and for visiting us. Although our website does not state that you have to wear a mask, it also does not state that a mask is not necessary. As we have shops and a tearooms masks would be required for these areas regardless. We will however make this clearer on the website. As you can appriciate we are all trying to adjust under difficult circumstances and it is imperative that we do everything we can to protect our staff and visitors. Many thanks again
Written August 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Helmingham Hall Gardens
Helmingham Hall Gardens is open:
  • Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tue - Thu 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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