Gooderstone Water Gardens

There's a lovely story behind the creation of Gooderstone Water Gardens near Swaffham in Norfolk. Retired farmer Billy Knights began creating the gardens at the age of 70 back in 1970 after his son joked that the land there was too wet for cattle to graze and only fit to be a water garden. Setting out his plans on the back of a piece of wallpaper, Billy's imagination was fired and he set about getting the diggers to work on the meadow. By the age of 93, he had created a haven for garden lovers with a natural trout stream, four ponds, waterways, 13 bridges, mature trees and shrubs, borders rich in colour and a kingfisher hide. After his death, the garden fell a little into disrepair but in 2002 his daughter Coral breathed new life into the site, adding an eight-acre nature trail and a lovely refurbished tea room and gallery. There has since been the addition of a bird hide, bamboo grove, scented arbour, plant sales and a rustic roundhouse.