The Rose of Cantley

The Rose of Cantley is a working rose nursery just outside Great Yarmouth that opens its garden to visitors - and it's absolutely worth the short drive if you're staying at Haven Wild Duck or anywhere else nearby. You're walking through genuine working gardens here, not some manicured showpiece. There are hundreds of rose varieties on display, from old-fashioned shrub roses to modern hybrid teas, and the whole operation feels refreshingly unpretentious.

Rose enthusiasts will obviously get the most from it, but anyone who enjoys gardens without the crowds will find it peaceful. Kids might manage an hour or so, though it's not really set up for them - it's a proper gardener's place. The actual layout is fairly compact, so don't expect to spend half a day here.

What makes it special is seeing how roses actually grow on a working nursery. Staff are genuinely knowledgeable if you want to ask about specific varieties or growing conditions. Summer is obviously peak season, particularly June and July when everything's in flower. Spring and early autumn still work, though you'll catch fewer blooms.

It's the kind of place that works brilliantly as a side-trip during a park holiday - close enough to Haven Wild Duck that you could easily pop over for a couple of hours without it eating into your day. If you're renting a cottage in the area or doing the caravan circuit around Great Yarmouth, this breaks up the usual seaside routine nicely.