Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden
School Road, South Walsham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 6DZ
A 131-acre woodland and water garden in the Norfolk Broads, with its own private broad, ancient oaks and tens of thousands of candelabra primulas in late spring.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden?
Fairhaven is a woodland and water garden in the truest sense: paths wind through ancient woodland criss-crossed by dykes, opening onto a private broad, South Walsham Inner Broad. It is a quiet, natural place rather than a formal garden, and it suits anyone who likes wildlife as much as plants. More than 95 species of bird have been recorded here, and otters returned to the garden and broad in the late 1990s.
The big event is the candelabra primulas. Around 50,000 of them flower over the last two weeks of May and the first two weeks of June, lining the damp ground beside the water. Earlier in spring the yellow skunk cabbage, Lysichiton americanus, lights up the wet areas, and camellias and rhododendrons follow. Where storms and Dutch elm disease opened up the canopy, glades were planted with gunnera, hydrangeas, philadelphus, cornus and daffodils to give interest through the year. Look out too for King Stephen's fishpond, recorded in the Domesday Book, and an oak said to be around 950 years old.
Gardeners with damp or shady plots will find plenty to borrow here. The garden shows which plants are happy with wet feet and dappled light, and it is managed fully organically. The dykes are still cleared by hand each winter with a traditional tool called a chrome, and coppicing and leaf harvesting provide natural fertiliser. There is a café, so a visit can easily fill a morning or afternoon.
What to see
- Around 50,000 candelabra primulas flowering from late May into June.
- South Walsham Inner Broad, the garden's own private broad.
- King Stephen's fishpond, listed in the Domesday Book.
- An oak thought to be around 950 years old, among the ancient woodland.
- Hand-cleared dykes and open glades planted with gunnera, hydrangeas and cornus.
Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden through the year
- spring
- Daffodils and yellow skunk cabbage brighten the wet ground, followed by camellias and rhododendrons, then the candelabra primulas from late May.
- summer
- The primulas carry on into the first half of June, then hydrangeas and philadelphus take over in the glades.
- autumn
- The woodland turns colour and the broad is quieter, a good time to look for birds.
- winter
- The dykes are cleared by hand in winter and cornus stems add colour; check the official website for winter opening.
The story behind the garden
The garden was created by Henry Rogers Broughton, the 2nd Lord Fairhaven, who bought the 350-acre South Walsham Estate in 1946 after it had been used by the military in the Second World War. He had already made a garden at Bakenham House at Englefield Green in Surrey, and took his inspiration for Fairhaven from his friend Sir Eric Savill, creator of the Savill and Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park.
Work on the woodland began the following year. Lord Fairhaven, with seven gardeners and two woodmen, cleared overgrown woods and planted thousands of candelabra primulas, skunk cabbage, camellias and rhododendrons. More than 90 per cent of the new plants were raised from seed in his greenhouses, and the garden took fifteen years to complete. He left it in trust when he died in 1973. Dutch elm disease and the 1987 gale later brought down around a thousand trees, opening new glades for planting.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- Wildlife watchers and gardeners with damp or shady ground who want ideas for natural, water-loving planting.
- Getting there
- Fairhaven is on School Road in South Walsham, in the Norfolk Broads east of Norwich.
- Before you go
- Paths run through woodland and beside water, so sensible shoes are a good idea, especially after rain. Check the garden's official website for current opening times and tickets.
Questions about visiting Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden
When do the primulas flower at Fairhaven?
Around 50,000 candelabra primulas flower over the last two weeks of May and the first two weeks of June. This is the most celebrated time to visit, so expect more people in the garden then.
How big is Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden?
The garden covers about 131 acres of ancient woodland, woodland garden and water garden, and includes South Walsham Inner Broad. Paths and hand-cleared dykes run through much of the site.
Who created Fairhaven garden?
It was created by the 2nd Lord Fairhaven, Henry Rogers Broughton, who began work in 1947 after buying the South Walsham Estate. He was inspired by his friend Sir Eric Savill and left the garden in trust when he died in 1973.
Is there a café at Fairhaven?
Yes. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden has a café area, so you can stop for refreshments during your walk. Check the official website for its current opening arrangements before you go.
What wildlife can you see at Fairhaven?
More than 95 species of bird have been recorded in the garden, and otters returned to the garden and broad in the late 1990s. The garden is managed organically, which helps support its wildlife.
Garden features
Location
School Road, South Walsham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 6DZ
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