Raveningham Estate Gardens (Norfolk, England)

Raveningham Gardens was our next stop on the English garden tour, and it coincided with the hottest day of the trip. We arrived late in the afternoon and, because of the oppressive heat, had less time to explore than we would have liked.

Raveningham Hall was built in the late eighteenth century for Sir Edmund Bacon, 8th and 9th Baronet (1749-1820). Although the architect remains unknown, the elegant Georgian house has remained in the Bacon family ever since. The gardens themselves are much more recent, having been established in the 1960s by Lady Priscilla Bacon. Today, the estate is home to Sir Nicholas Bacon and his wife, Susan.

Sir Nicholas greeted us as we arrived and gave us a quick rundown of the history of the garden. He is an avid gardener himself and a friend of Prince Charles. His wife Susan is a sculptor, and many of her works, like the boar pictured below, are sprinkled throughout the gardens. 

Our arrival point was a distance from the main house. I wasn't clear about our orientation, but the first garden we saw was the Time Garden. It was designed according to theories expressed by Francis Bacon in his essay "On Gardens" (you can read it at Project Gutenberg).  

The "Time Garden" features an unusual mound that visitors can climb for an elevated view of the garden.

A doorway in the wall leads to a kitchen garden and an herb garden. These gardens are still in production and, in addition to vegetables and herbs, contain fruit trees and a rose garden within the brick walls. From here, it becomes clear that you are standing behind the main house.

Not too far away is St. Andrew's Church. It dates back to the 12th century and was built by the Castyll family, who lived in the original manor house before the Bacons. There are tombs inside the church and a graveyard surrounding it.

Venturing farther away from the house and walled gardens is a magnificent stumpery that surrounds a large pond. This area was created by Sir Nicholas using fallen trees on the property.

Despite the heat and our short visit, Raveningham Gardens was a memorable stop.  From the formal structure of the Time Garden and productive walled gardens to the picturesque church and remarkable stumpery, the estate offers an engaging blend of history, horticulture, and landscape design. 

(Visited June 26, 2026)

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy