Today, Kelling Hall opened its private gardens for only the second time in 50 years. Partnering with The National Garden Scheme with all profits going to charity, it was an incredible opportunity to see what is (in my eyes) one of the most beautiful private estates in the UK. If you missed it today, I'm really hoping that the owners of Kelling Estate make this an annual tradition and you get to experience it for yourselves next year. If not, here's a sneak peek into just how stunning this place really is and how magical they've made this hidden treasure.
The team at Kelling Estate beautifully curated the areas open to the public, splitting the gardens into three separate walks (which also all joined up for the more adventurous wanting to explore them all); Lake and Lower Gardens, Short Walk (approx 20 mins / 0.7 miles) and Long Walk (approx 40 mins / 2.5. miles).
As you walk from the entrance, past the imposing butterfly plan main Hall which was designed by the architect Sir Edward Maufe and round the winding drive, the incredible serenity of this place hits you. Despite being surrounded by hundreds of people who have travelled for miles to catch a glimpse of its beauty, as you watch swans dance along the surface of the lake, a calmness surrounds you. A tranquility like none other. Spring bulbs sway in the wind, as your eyes dance between the incredible (and perfectly framed) sculptures which adorn the lawns.
On an island in the middle of the lake (now joined with bridges), ruins of the Medieval & Georgian Kelling Hall stand proudly alongside bluebells and imposing trees which must be thousands of years old. And the history continues, with 2 million year old stone from Bodmin, exquisitely crafted by artist Adrian Gray into a "Stone Balancing" sculpture which has previously been exhibited at Chelsea Flower Show in 2022. But there's also a beauty in the way old meet news, with artist Tristian Cockerill and Sculptor James Gray handcrafting natural slate Water Features and Apple & Pear Scultures which harmonise with the greens of the grasses and red of the tulips, making the garden an artist masterpiece that I haven't seen before in such a historic Estate.
For nature lovers, the "Long Walk" delighted with the most incredible bluebell walk up and out onto the woodlands of Kelling Estate. Norfolk is famous for its beautiful bluebells with so many of them popping up at this time of year across well knows Estates and woodlands. There's hundreds of blogs on the internet about the various bluebell walks you can do. All beautiful. All Instagrammable. But none like those I saw today at Kelling Hall. I could've walked that bluebell trail for days; a stunning valley with a carpet of bluebells running up along the sweeping hills either side. Bluebells are beautiful. They look amazing in pictures, but this walk just took over your senses and filled your soul with joy. Something I've never experienced before with any other bluebell walk in Norfolk. There's something magic about the Kelling Estate.
As you swing round and down from the bluebell walk, the beauty of the North Norfolk Coast hits you. Meandering around the lake and woods, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were miles inland, slap bang in the middle of the beautiful Norfolk Countryside, but Kelling Hall actually stands less than 2 miles from the coast and the views are incredible.
By the lake, the owners of Kelling Hall have a hammock, that swings in the wind. It was pouring down with rain when we visited (when is summer ever arriving??) but every fibre of my being just wanted to jump on that hammock, close my eyes and listen to the rain fall onto the lake, as the birds sang and chirped overhead. Maybe once day, if they open the gardens again, they'll let me back to do some pre-open day content for them and when I do, I'm hoping they let me spend an hour on that hammock, sun on my face and warmth in my heart.
I don't know when they'll next open their doors, but when they do, make sure you don't miss it. It really is magic at Kelling Hall and you need to experience it for yourself.