Four beautiful flower walks in Norfolk

Norfolk is well known for its magnificent scenery and countryside, but visit at the right time and you could catch a real natural spectacle. At certain times of the year, Norfolk puts on a breathtaking display, bursting with colour and texture, as the wildflowers come into bloom. From swathes of bluebells to mountains of lavender, these are some of the most stunning sights in the region. And with most less than an hour’s drive from our Barnham Broom property, there’s no reason not to get out and enjoy nature at its most colourful.

Snowdrops at Walsingham Abbey

Mid-winter, 40 minutes from Barnham Broom.

In the cold of winter, the grounds of Walsingham Abbey come to life. Step under the trees and discover 18 acres of woodland, carpeted with delicate snowdrops.

First brought to the British Isles by the Romans, these elegant flowers didn’t become fashionable until the 17th and 18th Centuries, when they became a firm favourite across the country.  These days, snowdrops are commonly found growing in former abbeys and priories. It is thought they were planted here due to the way their flowering ties in with the religious calendar. The flowers usually bloom in early February, which correlates with the ritual purification of the Virgin Mary, 40 days after the birth of Christ.

Walsingham’s grounds create the perfect conditions for snowdrops to flourish; a well-lit, deciduous woodland with chalky, alkaline, humus-rich soil. There’s also good drainage but the earth never completely dries out. This means that you'll find a large variety of snowdrops growing here, including the common galanthus nivalis and the double galanthus nivalis ‘flore pleno’. There is also an expanding collection of less common varieties, including the large ‘Colossus’ and the self-explanatory ‘Tiny Tim’.

The Abbey offers 'Snowdrop Walks' between the end of January and start of March each year. Adult tickets cost £5.50. Find this year’s dates on their website.

Sea Lavender at Burnham Overy Staithe

July to October, 50 minutes from Barnham Broom.

It takes just over an hour of walking to reach the secluded beach at Burnham Overy Staithe. But, if we’re honest, the walk is the real highlight. You’ll wind your way through a wild, unspoilt marshland which, if you time your visit right, will be painted a breathtaking shade of mauve. The thousands of sea lavender flowers turn the whole area into a sea of colour. Combined with the fresh sea air and peace and quiet, the marshes really do have a unique feeling of tranquility and calm.... make sure to linger and drink in the surroundings for as long as possible!

Sea Lavender is one of the more dominant plant species in Norfolk’s salt marshes. The plant is vulnerable in that it can only grow in this specific environment, but due to how well it thrives in these areas, there are no immediate concerns about its conservation.

Bluebells at Blickling Estate

April and May, 35 minutes from Barnham Broom.

Blickling’s gardens are always a haven of colour and texture, from tulips to crocuses. But the highlight of their floral calendar is certainly the dramatic bluebell display which bursts to life in Blickling’s Great wood. It’s a famous sight in the local area, and the National Trust take great care to ensure the flowers reach their full potential each year. This means careful coppicing and bramble clearing during the winter, allowing as much light as possible to reach the forest floor. 

This kind of work is important due to the way bluebells grow. Firstly, the green leaves emerge in the winter, before leaves can block the light. This way they can replenish the nutrients stored in the bulb. The famous blue flowers appear at the end of the cycle and only last a short time before the plant dies back again. Bluebells also spread very slowly; these large areas of flora are a good sign that Blickling’s Great Wood has existed for many years – it’s possible that trees have been here since the end of the Ice Age.

For more information, including opening times and prices, visit the National Trust website.

Rhododendrons at Sheringham Park

May to June, 50 minutes from Barnham Broom.

Sheringham Park’s collection of rhododendrons is one of the best in the country. With over 80 species of rhododendron and azalea present in the garden, the dramatic displays of pink, red, purple, orange and yellow are truly striking. The displays are constantly changing throughout the season, so you can expect something different every time you visit.

It’s guessed that the first of these flowers were introduced to Sheringham at around 1850 – these are now the tallest plants with red flowers. Plant collector Ernest Wilson then added more seeds at the start of the 20th Century, greatly expanding the diversity of the collection.

All visitors to Sheringham can enjoy the flowers during May and June. Simply stroll down the main drive, where they take pride of place beside beautiful specimen trees from around the globe. If you’d like to take a deeper dive into the history and details of the displays, you can also book a tour of the garden with the Head Gardener. Find more information about this, as well as opening times and ticket prices, on the website.