Herbaceous Square

The herbaceous borders here are properly done - long drifts of colour that actually make you think about plant combinations rather than just gawping at flowers. It's a working demonstration garden, so you're seeing what actually thrives together rather than some manicured museum piece.

Walking the square takes about 40 minutes if you're the type to stop and read labels. If you're just after a pleasant stroll, 20 minutes covers it. Summer is obviously peak time when everything's in flower, but late spring brings its own appeal - fewer crowds and the borders just bursting into life.

It's genuinely useful if you're planning your own garden. You see perennials actually standing up to Norfolk's wind and soil conditions, not some soft southern specimen that needs mollycoddling. That said, it's not thrilling if you're after drama or theatrical planting. It's understated, educational, occasionally a bit sparse depending on the season.

Peterstone is close enough that it works as a morning visit before heading elsewhere. Pair it with a walk along the nearby paths or a pub lunch rather than banking your whole day on it. If you're staying at Pinewoods Holiday Park just down the road, it's an easy add-on, particularly if someone in your group enjoys proper gardening rather than Instagram-friendly flower shots. No admission fee as far as I can gather, which makes it worth the detour. Just don't expect manicured perfection.