Local charities invited to apply for May 2024 fundraising opportunities at Stody Lodge Gardens near Holt

Charity teas at stody lodge gardens

Stody Lodge Gardens near Holt is delighted to invite local charities to apply to run the homemade teas during its open days in May 2024. On each of our open days, different charities fuel hungry garden visitors with delicious cakes, brownies, flapjacks, sandwiches, sausage rolls and scones, from which they take all the proceeds.

In May 2023, Stody’s brightly coloured 14-acre rhododendron and azalea gardens raised a fantastic £15,336 for a variety of local charities.

Our 2023 charities included Tapping House, Thornage Hall Independent Living, The Holt Youth Project, Priscilla Bacon Hospice, About With Friends, Leeway, Norfolk & Waveney MIND, Norwich Door to Door, Heritage House, Hospice Ethiopia UK and Access Migrant Support.  We also also opened in aid of the National Garden Scheme on Wednesday 17th May 2023.

Visitors enjoying the tearooms at stody lodge gardens

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “A key part of any trip to Stody Lodge Gardens is a stop off at the tea rooms for some delicious tea and cake. Our charities and their teams of volunteers work very hard and can raise significant sums in a day. It is a busy but fun day out and volunteers are welcome to enjoy the gardens for free on the day that they’re with us. We would love to hear from charities who think they might be able to run our tea rooms in May 2024 – please do get in touch.”

Charities looking to provide the homemade teas at Stody Lodge Gardens should email enquiries@stodyestate.co.uk or call 01263 860572.

delicious homemADE VICTORIA SPONGE ON SALE AT STODY LODGE GARDENS

Stody Lodge Gardens will next open to the public in May 2024 for its spring flowering season.

Its 2024  opening dates are: 1pm-5pm on Sunday 28 April 2024 and all Sundays in May 2024. It will also open the second Bank Holiday Monday 27 May as well as selected midweek open days.  Please visit www.stodyestate.co.uk/visitor-info for all opening times.

Entrance is £9, children under 12 free, payable in advance via Ticketsource or by cash or card at the entrance gate.

Dogs on leads welcome. There is a fantastic plant stall by Edgefield Nurseries. There is good wheelchair access to most areas of the garden.

 Midweek groups and coach tours welcome by appointment. A pre-booked cream tea is available for larger groups (6 minimum) at £16 per person including entry. Please call 01263 863994 or email enquiries@stodyestate.co.uk

Stody Eurovision! A celebration of the Eurovision Song Contest at Stody Lodge Gardens on Saturday 13th May 2023

Stody Lodge Gardens, the spectacular rhododendron and azalea garden near Holt, will host its own celebration of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday May 13 2023.

On the same day as countries vie for the winning place at the event in Liverpool, Stody will entertain visitors throughout the afternoon with a stream of Eurovision hits played across the gardens by DJ Jules as well as a Eurovision quiz and a raffle. Keen singers will be able to demonstrate their own skills thanks to Gossip’s Discos from Norwich and its 4m x 6m inflatable Karaoke screen. There will be facepainting, kids tattoos and Ukrainian themed crafts and activities.

Fundraising on the day will be in aid of Access Migrant Support, a Kings Lynn-based charity providing vital help to migrants across East Anglia, who will offer delicious, homemade British and Ukrainian treats to visitors in the garden tea rooms.

This charity supports European migrants across a wide range of issues such as housing, medical care and benefits. This is done via four busy advice clinics every week spread between Kings Lynn, Swaffham, Watton, Thetford and Wisbech. These drop-in clinics are led by the charity's multilingual project workers and volunteers.

Stody Eurovision! hopes to raise much needed money for Access Migrant Support who will be running the tea rooms and providing a wide range of delicious British and Ukrainian treats. There will be much on offer to celebrate the joy of the Eurovision Song Contest but also particularly the Ukraine, its traditions and culture.

Visitors are invited to attend wearing the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag as a show of support, to take full advantage of Gossip's huge outdoor karaoke screen, and all the refreshments and activities on offer in Stody's 14 acres of beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas.

£14,200 raised for charity in May 2022

Visitors enjoying delicious homemade charity teas at Stody lodge gardens

Stody Lodge Gardens invites different charities to provide homemade teas on each of its open days in May.

In May 2022, these charities included Heritage House, The Holt Youth Project, The Glaven Centre, Tapping House, St Andrews Church, The Red Cross, The Benjamin Foundation, Hunworth & Stody Churches and Village Hall, Thornage Hall, Leeway, About with Friends, The Treehouse Community Café and Norfolk & Waveney MIND.

Visitors were treated to a wonderful selection of British favourites such as Victoria sponge, coffee and walnut cake, carrot cake, traybakes such as flap jacks and brownies, and of course the traditional scone with cream and jam. Gluten free options were also available.

£14,200 was raised across these charities throughout the month of May 2022. This is a fantastic result for these very worthwhile local causes and would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of their volunteers and army of bakers. Congratulations to all involved and we look forward to another fruitful fundraising season in May 2023.

£3,000 raised for The Benjamin Foundation at the Stody Classic Vehicle Day 2022

Visitors enjoying the Stody Classic Vehicle Day

We raised a bumper £3,000 for The Benjamin Foundation at our Stody Classic Vehicle Day on Sunday 22nd May thanks to the glorious sunshine and wonderful turnout from car and garden lovers alike.

Huge congratulations to The Benjamin Foundation and their hardworking army of bakers and volunteers - that is a lot of tea and cake!!

Austen Blake and his winning 1961 Vauxhall Victor F Estate with Robert Easton of Easton Coaches

Congratulations also to Austen Blake for his winning and beautifully restored 1961 Vauxhall Victor F Estate. Mr Blake bought the car in 1989 but it needed a complete rebuild and restoration which took seven years. 

He said: "That was the hardest bit - it took me years to find all the original parts.” 

Robert Easton, of Easton Coaches who judged this year’s award, added: “It is just immaculate. All the gaps on the doors and bonnets are exactly the same.  The hours Austen had spent taking it back to its original condition is very impressive.” 

£2,410 raised for the Holt Youth Project at a sensational Stody Family Fun Day

There was a fantastic turnout to Stody’s much-loved Family Fun Day on Sunday 8th May 2022. The glorious spring sunshine brought crowds of Norfolk’s youngsters who thoroughly enjoyed the farmyard animals, treasure hunt, Mandy Moo face painting and den making by the Fairy Fair.  The Fun Dog Show, run by Doggy with Style dog grooming business in Edgefield, was a huge success with over 150 dogs entered across 11 classes. Dann’s ice creams were on offer as were delicious chips by the Bucket List.

The Holt Youth Project had a very busy day providing homemade teas in the tea rooms. The proceeds from the tea rooms, plus subsequent donations from all the organisations participating in the event, resulted in the Holt Youth Project raising a fantastic £2,410 from the day.

Julie Alford, centre, founder of the holt youth project

Stody kicks off its May 2022 flowering season with its Family Fun Day this Sunday!

Blooms and bikes at Stody Lodge Gardens this May…

Stody Lodge Gardens, the spectacular rhododendron and azalea garden near Holt in north Norfolk, is set for a busy month ahead with lots of open days and three special events. The flowers are out in their full technicolour glory thanks to a warm April and the team are ready to welcome Norfolk’s youngsters back for its much-loved Family Fun Day this Sunday 8th May.

The gardens are open 1pm - 5pm all Sundays in May, 18 to 20 May inclusive, 23 to 27 May inclusive and the 2 and 3 June to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Entrance is £8 payable by cash or card. Prebooking not required.

With 14-acres to explore, a visit to Stody Lodge Gardens is the perfect afternoon out for those looking to enjoy magnificent blooms, carpets of spring bulbs, peaceful woodland walks and delicious takeaway teas in aid of local charities. Please click here for a full list of our open days and the charities fundraising in the tea rooms.

This year, Stody Lodge Gardens is hosting three special events:

THE STODY FAMILY FUN DAY - SUNDAY 8 MAY, 1PM - 5PM

The Stody Family Fun Day on Sunday 8th May 2022

Bring your pooches to our Fun Dog Show (see here for classes), pet our farmyard animals, make some dens with the team from the Fairy Fair, explore our treasure hunt, triumph at our traditional fete games on the lawn and transform yourselves with face paint. Icecreams and delicious treats will be on offer as well as the full run of the gardens and our wide open spaces. The rhododendrons are perfect for exploring whilst carers and family can relax and enjoy the garden’s wonderful colours.

THE STODY CLASSIC VEHICLE DAY - 22 MAY 2022, 12PM - 5PM

The Stody Classic Vehicle Day on Sunday 22nd May 2022

After a bumper turnout last year, we can't wait for another day of motors, picnics and delicious burgers by Duncan Jeary. Classic vehicles of all varieties are invited. Drivers of a classic vehicle are welcomed into the garden for free and can arrive anytime from midday. There is no need to register your car in advance. Cars that wish to be parked together must arrive in convoy. Classic vehicles welcome from midday.

HARLEY DAVIDSON RIDE-OUT TO STODY - SUNDAY 29 MAY 2022, 1PM - 5PM

The Iceni Chapter of the national Harley Owners’ Group

The Iceni Chapter of the worldwide Harley Owners Group are ready to thrill visitors with their first ever visit to Stody Lodge Gardens.

Up to 30 Harley Davidson motorcycles from the UK’s most eastern Chapter will drive into the garden so the bikes can be admired in person. If you wish to hear the roar of the engines, the estimated arrival time of the Ride-Out into the gardens will be 1.30pm.

Don’t miss out on the excitement of seeing these wonderful motorcycles and chatting with their owners in a stunning garden setting.

Find Out More

Stody Lodge Gardens invites the public to enjoy its open spaces and fresh air this May

Stunning colours and wide open spaces at stody lodge gardens

This May, Stody Lodge is delighted to be welcoming visitors back to enjoy its 14-acres of brightly-coloured rhododendrons and azaleas. To ensure visitors have lots of space and freedom to enjoy the gardens, it has increased its open days to include every Wednesday and Thursday in the month as well as all Sundays and the second bank holiday Monday, 31st May 2021.

All of its activities will be strictly in line with current Covid-safety regulations and restrictions.

Open from 1pm – 5pm, entrance is £8 (payable by card or cash). Pre-booked time slots are not required. Delicious takeaway tea and cake will be served in aid of local charities. Dogs on leads are welcome. Disabled toilet and good disabled access to most areas of the garden. Plant stall by Edgefield Nurseries and free parking.

Please see the Visitor Info section of our website for a full list of our open days as well as details of our special Events.

Stody Lodge Gardens invites everyone to enjoy its open spaces and fresh air this May

These are extraordinary times . The team at Stody Lodge Gardens have been, like everyone, assimilating the fast changing news and what it means for us all. We have in particular been considering whether to continue with our open gardens days this May and whether we can do this in a way that protects the health of our team, our charity volunteers and the visiting public.

We are pleased to say that we have decided that we will be going ahead with our open days. This decision is supported by guidance from the National Garden Scheme, Historic Houses, and The Royal Horticultural Society who are also continuing to open gardens. Should the Government’s advice to close certain venues extend to gardens and parks then we will of course comply. We are aware that the National Trust has now decided to close its parks and gardens due to concerns over social distancing not being possible with the volume of visitors to its sites, particularly for Mothers’ Day. Our visitor numbers are not comparable to that of the National Trust’s and we are confident we can deliver appropriate social distancing measures but will continue to monitor the situation carefully.

We have regretfully decided not to provide homemade teas, however. The Stody tea rooms have for over 60 years been a place where selected local charities can fundraise for their individual causes but we must sadly make this decision to protect charity volunteers and our visitors.

We will instead be encouraging ‘bring your own’ picnics and refreshments and for social distancing to be practiced as people go around. There will also be increased handwashing stations. We also intend to open for many more mid-week afternoons so that visitors are not likely to meet queues and can enjoy the gardens with plenty of space. Put simply, we feel that people will need colour and nature more than ever in May and Stody is able to provide this.

We are also keen for as many children as possible to run around and let off steam in the gardens. We have therefore decided to increase the age limit from under 12s so that under 16s will get in free this May.

Our special events will go ahead in that there will be ‘themed’ days:

The Stody Classic Vehicle Day will take place on Sunday 3rd May, 1pm - 5pm. Classic vehicles of all varieties are still very welcome and the driver is allowed free entry to the gardens. Vehicles will be parked at least two metres apart.

The Stody VE Day Celebrations will take place on Friday 8th May, 1pm - 5pm. There will be 1940s decorations and music for this commemorative day. Please see our website and social media for updates on the event nearer the time.

The Stody Family Fun Day on Sunday 24th May, 1pm - 5pm. Children under 16 are allowed free entry to the garden for all of the month of May so please do bring them anytime for a run around. This day will, if we can, have farmyard animals on display but for hygiene reasons visitors will be kept away from the railings and we sadly can’t have our petting zoo or other attractions such as the treasure hunt this year.

The Stody Rainbow Garden Party will be on Saturday 30th May, 1pm - 5pm. This event is an invitation to and celebration of the rural LGBTQ+ community, their family and friends. All members of the public are welcome. Again, please see our website nearer the time for details on what the event will entail. Please note that Stody Lodge Gardens is committed to being an LGBTQ+ inclusive venue for all our open days in May.

So that is the plan as things are at the moment. We will keep you posted via this news feed and our social media pages if it changes. We’re also going to keep you updated on the wonderful developments already taking place in the gardens - carpets of daffodils, vibrant camelias and early rhododendrons (even the odd azalea!) are springing into sensational colour.

Best wishes to everyone and keep safe.

Local charities invited to apply for May 2020 fundraising opportunities at Stody Lodge Gardens

Stody Lodge Gardens raises £14,900 for local charities through its May 2019 open days

Teas served by St Andrew’s Church, Holt. © Alan Palmer

This year the charities invited to provide the homemade teas, from which they take all the proceeds, included Tapping House, Thornage Hall, The Holt Youth Project, The Benjamin Foundation, Stody and Hunworth Churches, Norwich Pride, Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Pride, St Andrews Church Holt, Aylsham Care Trust, The Red Cross, About With Friends and Leeway.  Stody Lodge Gardens also opened in aid of the National Garden Scheme on Tuesday 21st May 2019. These charities fuelled busy garden lovers with delicious cakes, brownies, flapjacks, sandwiches, sausage rolls and scones.

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “We were so impressed by the quality of the wonderful homemade teas provided by the charities fundraising with us last year. All the volunteers worked incredibly hard but also had a lot of fun whilst raising fantastic sums for their individual causes. We are now organising our 2020 open days and would welcome charities to apply for a fundraising opportunity with us.”

Charities looking to provide the homemade teas at Stody Lodge Gardens should email enquiries@stodyestate.co.uk or call 01263 860572.

Bumper Stody Classic Vehicles Day sees rare 1936 MG PB Airline Coupe win Vehicle of the Day

Visitors admiring the classic vehicles at Stody Lodge Gardens (credit: Stody Lodge Gardens

On Sunday 12th May 2019, Stody Lodge Gardens was delighted to welcome an estimated 400 classic vehicles for a sunshine-filled afternoon of motors, homemade teas by the Aylsham Care Trust and spectacularly colourful gardens.

Ronald and Karen Loomes with their winning 1936 MG PB Airline Coupe (© Stody Lodge Gardens - high res available)

The award for Vehicle of the Day was presented to Ronald Loomes for his 1936 MG PB Airline Coupe.  The car was chosen by the judges, Peter Thomas of the Norwich MG Owners’ Club, and David Johnson of the Broadland MG Owners’ Club for its superb condition and rarity value.

Peter Thomas of the Norwich MG Owners’ Club said: ‘This car is one of only 16 cars of this type built and believed to be the only one on UK roads today. It is much travelled and has a fascinating history.  Originally sold by a MG dealer in Newcastle the car was then sold on after a few years to somebody in Scotland. No record of where the car went from there until 2001 when it was purchased by a Japanese tycoon who had the car totally rebuilt in the UK before shipping it to Japan. It was then returned to the UK before reaching Australia and then Sweden where it was kept in a museum. It was finally returned to the UK and Ronald purchased it in 2016.’

David Johnson of the Broadland MG Owners’ Club added: ‘It is excellent to see such a rare car as this kept in its original condition and used so regularly.’

Thanks to the glorious May sunshine, the Stody Classic Vehicles Day was inundated with car and garden lovers and enjoyed a bumper turnout. All drivers of a classic vehicle were invited into the gardens for free where visitors were dazzled by Stody Lodge’s brightly coloured rhododendrons and azaleas.

The Aylsham Care Trust, which provides services to older people in North Norfolk to promote independent living and to decrease social isolation and loneliness, raised a fantastic £1,650 from providing delicious tea and cake in the tea rooms to the gardens hungry visitors.

The Stody Classic Vehicle Day forms part of a series of events taking place at Stody Lodge Gardens this May. Next up is a pop-up stand by Witts Design, a mother-daughter traditional screen printing company based on Stody Estate. Michelle and Stephanie Witts have created a range of selected homeware and gift card products with special edition Stody Lodge Gardens’ designs on them that will be on sale within the gardens from 19th – 27th May inclusive. In addition, The Stody Rainbow Garden Party will take place on Saturday 25th May 2019. This day is a special invitation to and celebration of the LGBT+ community and will raise funds for Norwich Pride and Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Prides’ respective Pride parades this summer. All members of the public welcome.

Stody Lodge Gardens is open 1pm-5pm all Sundays in May, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th May, from Monday 20th through to Sunday 27th May 2019 inclusive. Entrance is £7, children under 12 free, payable by cash only.

The Stody Classic Vehicles Day returns this Sunday 12th May 2019

Chris and Hilary King with their 1954 Riley RME, winner of the Stody 2018 ‘Vehicle of the Day’ award

On Sunday 12th May 2019, Stody Lodge Gardens will extend a special welcome to a wide range of classic vehicle lovers for its spectacular May-flowering season.  The Stody Classic Vehicles Day 2019 will be a great gathering of classic vehicles of all varieties.

This event, now in its second year, is back by popular demand after hundreds of classic vehicle owners braved grey skies on 13th May 2018 to enjoy a wonderful day of motors, homemade teas and beautiful gardens.

View from within a stunning Jaguar SC 150 DHC 3.4ltr on 13th May 2018

Stody Lodge Gardens near Holt in North Norfolk has become increasingly popular as a destination for car lovers over recent years. On 1st May 2017, Stody hosted the 28th Heritage Run of the Broadland MG Owners' Club annual rally. On 22nd May 2016, the Stody Boutique Festival was attended by a fantastic selection of classic and vintage vehicles that was hugely popular with the festival's visitors. It has also been visited by several other classic car clubs who are drawn to its excellent facilities for motor enthusiasts as well as its unusually bright and colourful gardens.

David Johnson, of the Broadland MGOC, said: 'We had a fantastic time visiting Stody Lodge Gardens in 2017 and 2018 and all our members felt very welcome. There was ample well-drained parking, lots of space for picnics and everyone really enjoyed looking around these brightly coloured gardens.'

On Sunday 12th May 2019, there will be free entry to the gardens for all drivers of a classic vehicle (passengers not included.) Gates to the gardens open at 1pm and close at 5pm but vehicles are welcome to arrive any time from midday.

Individual vehicle owners are welcome to attend The Stody Classic Vehicles Day without registering their vehicle or completing an application form.

Winners of the Stody ‘Young Talent’ Awards 2019!

Stody Lodge Gardens is delighted to announce the winners of The Stody ‘Young Talent’ Awards 2019. Now in its fifth year, this competition challenged budding artists from Years 4,5 and 6 at local primary schools to create A3 frameable artwork along the theme of ‘Rainbows.’ This theme was chosen to tie in with The Stody Rainbow Garden Party, an LGBT+ inclusive event, on Saturday 25th May.

Winners of the Stody Young Talent Awards 2019. From left to right: Isobel Coutanche, Harry McDougall and Lucy Detnon

The three winners from each year group were selected by Sarah Young, a freelance curator and exhibition and event organiser as well as a workshop leader in art and crafts for children and adults.

 Lucy Detnon of Gresham’s Preparatory School won the Year 4 category for her rainbow peacock which Sarah Young praised for being ‘full of character’ along with her fantastic use of colour.  

The year 5 category was won by Harry McDougall of Beeston Preparatory School. Sarah was impressed by his interpretation of the brief with his black globe with famous landmarks surrounded by rainbow flares. 

Isobel Coutanche of Gresham’s Preparatory School won the Year 6 category for her decision to transform a black and white creature, the zebra, into rainbow colours with fantastic expression. Sarah said, ‘he knows he’s gorgeous!’

Unable to only select three winners, one for each age group, Sarah also awarded Special Mentions to Katy Turner from Gresham’s Preparatory School (year 4), Tabitha Gurney from Beeston Preparatory School (year 5) and Zelie Birbeck from Beeston Preparatory School (year 6).

The finalists of the Stody Young Talent Awards 2019 were exhibited in the gardens on Sunday 5th May for the Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ Family Fun Day. Hundreds of Norfolk’s youngsters had a fantastic amount of fun with lots of animals and games in Stody Lodge’s magical 14-acre rhododendron and azalea gardens. Alongside the donkey rides, lots of traditional fete games, donkey rides, hair braiding, face painting and a treasure hunt, children loved playing with young kids in the goat enclosure and admired goslings, pigeon and bantam chicks, a giant rabbit, two ferrets and even a corn snake.  Duncan Jeary’s award-winning, magnificent cows bellowed their way through the afternoon next door to show-winning Suffolk sheep owned his sons Archie and Oscar as well prime specimens from Harvey Sillis’ herd. But the star of the show was still Stody’s Shetland, Mitch the Titch, who enjoyed a lovely groom from lots of little helpers.

In addition, The Holt Youth Centre served a sensational array of delicious cakes and teas. Through their teas, games on the lawn and additional donations, the charity raised a fantastic £1,500 on the day.

 Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “The Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ Family Fun Day this year was bursting at the seams with wonderful birds and animals for the children to enjoy. The treasure hunt was really popular this year and enabled parents to wander around and enjoy our beautiful gardens. We also had a fantastic array of games and activities on the lawn which kept many kids entertained. We are delighted that the homemade teas and generous donations from many of those involved in the event raised £1,500 for The Holt Youth Centre.”