A Sunday afternoon in August saw the biggest Wildflower Club visit yet with over 40 attendees at Holme Hale Hall gardens in Norfolk. It may have been a cloudy afternoon but it was a little relief after the heatwave that had come during the week before.

After a meet and greet from head gardener Carol we were taken by beekeeper Paul to see the hives in the woodland area, where he chatted to us about the bees of Raveningham; the ones in hives and those wild in old trees, as well as being a beekeeper in general. After many questions we separated and took a little time to admire the gardens before meeting back at the tea hut for a slice of cake and a drink in the shade of parasols alongside the lawns.

This garden deserves a slow pace to absorb it all, but initially there was a flurry of activity as club members tried to fill their garden bingo card first! Once the four winners had been called and mini jars of honey awarded, then the garden exploration could commence.

What a venue to kick off the club - magical is the first word that springs to mind. We were met by Victoria, the owner, who gave our group of 21 an overview of the walled garden and a quick tour; pointing out roses and shrubs, talking about why things were placed where and then taking us down the most marvellous wisteria walk that ran almost the entire length of the garden.