Where's Wally in the Gardens

Family-friendly event on Sunday 28th April 2019

1pm – 5pm at Stody Lodge Gardens near Holt  

In association with The Benjamin Foundation

On Sunday 28th April 2019, Stody Lodge Gardens near Holt in North Norfolk will welcome the region’s Where’s Wally lovers for a day of fancy dress, beautiful garden and delicious homemade teas by The Benjamin Foundation. The event has been developed in association with this remarkable East Anglian charity. The Benjamin Foundation was set up in 1994 to help children and adults of all ages deal with many of the challenges that life throws at them and is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Stody Lodge Gardens is renowned for being one of East Anglia’s most dramatic spring gardens with 14-acres of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, camellias and carpets of spring bulbs. . Normally only open to the public in May, the April opening date for the Where’s Wally event has been chosen specifically to capture the stunning combination of magnolias, camellias and late daffodils with early-flowering azaleas and bluebells that are not normally seen by the public.

 All visitors dressed as Where’s Wally will be invited into the magical gardens at Stody Lodge for free (children under 12 are always welcomed into the garden for free.) Wally outfits must include a hat and top. There will be a group ‘Wally’ photo at 3.30pm.

Visitors who wish to come dressed as Wally are encouraged to buy their outfits online or at their local fancy dress store. Their outfit must include a Wally hat and top.

Alongside a walk through Stody’s beautiful gardens, visitors will be welcome to purchase delicious homemade teas and scones by The Benjamin Foundation, from which the charity will take all the proceeds. There will also be a Butterfly Trail through the gardens, a treasure map and games on the lawn for everyone to enjoy. Stody’s favourite Shetland, Mitch the Titch, will also be dressing up as Wally and there will be some goats and their kids to admire too.

Kate MacNicol, owner of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “We can’t wait to share our magnificent magnolias, camellias and early-flowering azaleas and bluebells with lots of Where’s Wally lovers. Dressing up is not compulsory and all are welcome to attend but we’re hoping for a great turn out of Wallys for an excellent group photo.”

Chris Elliott, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at The Benjamin Foundation, said: “We were delighted to be invited by the team at Stody to help organise the Where’s Wally in the Gardens. As our charity is all about supporting the young and vulnerable of all ages we are really pleased to be fundraising at Stody at this family-friendly event and celebrating our 25th anniversary.”

Entrance is £7 for those not dressed as Wally (hat and top), children under 12 free. There is good disabled access to most areas of the garden. Accessible toilet and parking available. Dogs on leads welcome.

Anyone interested in donating a cake to the tea rooms, please contact Jessica.Glover@benjaminfoundation.co.uk.