Explore 8 acres of wildlife-friendly gardens, wildflower meadows, and nature reserves with a charming café and plant nursery in rural Norfolk.

Natural Surroundings is Norfolk's premier wildlife-gardening and wildflower centre, set across 8 acres of gently sloping grounds between a wooded hillside and the River Glaven. The venue showcases every aspect of wildlife-friendly gardening through beautifully curated gardens featuring a diverse collection of plants from Britain and beyond, including wildflower meadows and the National Collection of Hardy Gunneras. Visitors can wander at their own pace through scenic viewpoints and peaceful spaces designed to excite and inspire naturalists of all ages. The site offers much to explore for families, with most visitors spending one to two hours enjoying the gardens, though a full day visit is easily possible, especially during summer months. The on-site Little Café in the Woods provides refreshments including home-made cakes, snacks, and light lunches without requiring advance booking. A plant nursery and shop allow visitors to take home specimens and gardening resources. Natural Surroundings welcomes dogs on short leads and offers free entrance to the nursery and shop, with modest garden entrance fees (£7.50 adults, £3.50 children 6-16, free for under-5s). The venue is owned and managed by Anne and Simon Harrap, who are typically on-site to offer expert advice. The centre regularly hosts events including fungus forays, wildflower shows, and educational workshops throughout the year.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

C

chris chilton

a month ago

A lovely surprise. An RHS associate garden themed around sustainable planting and the recreation of natural habitats, many of which are becoming things of the past due to years of intensive farming methods. Thoughtfully planned, very enlightening and wonderful to wander through. Plus a nice cafe and shop.

B

Bree Local guide

2 months ago

Beautiful meadows with chalk stream, it’s a gem. We enjoyed the cafe paninis served by friendly staff. Icing on the cake was the plant lady going out of her way to find the plant I set my heart on to buy after seeing one growing in the herb garden!. Thank you. !! A place for returning to.

A

Alison Crane

2 months ago

Spent an absolutely wonderful day here, the gardens are unusual in that they are wild flowers mainly. The gardens are fairly informal but the information boards were very knowledgeable. We spent almost as much time watching the wildlife as the flowers! The variety of butterflies was amazing. Even saw some hummingbird hawk moths on the lavender! Stunning!

G

Gerhard Geldenhuys

3 months ago

Very quirky garden cafe with great tea, coffee, cake ect. Love the harvest mouse exhibition! Awesome gardens and natural surroundings.

E

Elisa Winstanley

a year ago

A fantastic place to learn about nature, wildlife, plants, and the ecosystem. There’s plenty of information boards imparting knowledge! There are different routes/paths to take and the views are fab! It’s dog friendly and our pooch had so many places to sniff!! There’s plenty of seats to stop and gaze at the environment! The gift shop and cafe were great; as was the extensive plant shop! RHS members go free, otherwise it’s £7.50 to enter the gardens.

Reviews last updated: 7 October 2026