Natural Surroundings

About the garden

Natural Surroundings is a compact, loveable garden situated on the Bayfield Estate alongside the River Glaven. In the late 19th century, the gently rolling landscape, a patchwork of fields, woods and fine specimen trees were enhanced by Alfred Repps Jodrell. Many other fine specimen trees are located in and around the eight acres of the Wildflower Centre.
 
Half of the site is divided into small gardens designed to showcase every aspect of wildlife gardening, such as the ‘bee’, ‘butterfly’ and ‘moth’ gardens and the herb garden. The owners, Anne and Simon Harrap, are ‘plantaholics’ and have authored books on British wild orchids and the best-selling Harrap’s Wildflowers.
 
Throughout the gardens there is an emphasis on encouraging a love of plants, with many of the smaller and more delicate species displayed in raised cold frames, troughs, sinks, greenhouses and even an old bath. Bordering the River Glaven is a wet woodland, with a working charcoal kiln and an area of well-managed wet meadows.