This is a rare example of an unaltered 19th century villa garden. It was set out by Henry Trevor in 1856-1897 but has been subject to late 20th century restorations. Trevor's house is at the northwest corner and formerly had a bridge to the east bank. The house overlooked a conservatory or palm house but both are now gone. There are terraces with cascades and steps down to the lawns with the gardens believed to contain elements of medieval stonework from St Giles' Church. During 1987 the digging of a new sewer beneath the gardens revealed the base of a lime kiln.
Rare example of an unaltered 19th century villa garden.
Set out by Henry Trevor 1856-1897. Contained fountain restored in 1991.
Under restoration.
English Heritage Historic garden grade II. Originally a chalk quarry.
Trevor's house is at northwest corner and formerly had bridge to east bank.
This overlooked a conservatory or palm house; both now gone.
Terraces with cascades and steps down to lawns with formerly alternate rectangular and circular beds. Flint retaining walls and much terracotta. Boardman may be the designer and was certainly involved after 1871.
Information from English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens (S1).
N.B. no plan provided by Historic Buildings and Monuments Commision but borders seem obvious.
E. Rose (NLA) 11 March 1994.
During 1987 (?) tunnelling of a new sewer beneath the gardens revealed the base of a lime kiln at a much greater depth than was thought to be the original depth of the pit. Information from (S2) in 1987, found in Norwich records 1994.
E. Rose (NLA) 21 June 1994.
Gardens contain an amount of medieval stonework including tracery believed to have come from St Giles' Church at the unblocking of the chancel arch in 1867. Some of this has found its way into adjacent gardens of Heigham Grove. See reference (S3).
E. Rose (NLA) 3 April 1995.
Press cuttings (S2) and (S4) to (S6) in file.
T. Sunley (NLA) 30 October 2007.
| --- | Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1994. TG 2208ACX - ACZ, ADC, ADE. |
| --- | Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 338. |
| --- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2010. Celebrating an oasis of calm in heart of the city. 28 August. |
| --- | Leaflet: Lely, P.. A guide to The Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich. Plantation Garden Preservation Trust. |
| --- | Secondary File: Secondary File. |
| <S1> | Designation: English Heritage. Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.. |
| <S2> | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1992. [Articles on the restoration of Plantation Garden, Norwich]. |
| <S3> | Article in Serial: Fenner, G. 1994. An Archaeological Problem. The Quarterly. No 16 pp 17-18. |
| <S4> | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1993-1999. [Articles on the open days at Plantation Garden, Norwich]. |
| <S5> | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2000. Secret garden at city's heart. 6 March. |
| <S6> | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1992. 'Beehive' holds key to garden drainage. 20 May. |