Sunshine, flowers and fun for all the family at the Stody Kids for Kids day this Sunday 8th May 2016!

The Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ Family Fun Day returns this Sunday 8th May 2016

For a great afternoon out with the kids - where they are happily entertained while you relax in beautiful surroundings - look no further than The Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ Family Fun Day near Holt this Sunday 8th May 2016.

Open 1pm – 5pm, adults £5, children under 12 free, and set in Stody Lodge’s stunning 14-acre rhododendrons and azalea gardens, children can play amongst adorable young goats and kids as part of the Norwich & District Kid & Goatling show. There is also a farmyard animal petting zoo with irresistible miniature donkeys, lambs, calves and, the star of last year’s sell out Stody Kids for Kids day, Mitch the Titch the cheeky Shetland.

Anyone needing to burn off steam can take part in the treasure hunt and test their wily treasure collecting skills with a maraud around the garden. A particularly fearsome map has been devised to give supervising parents the best views of Stody Lodge’s stunning floral display.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy delicious ice creams by The Hunstanton Icecream Company and face painting by mother and daughter dream team Jorma and Neve Reynolds.

Lastly, the finalists of The Stody Young Talent Awards will be exhibited on the main lawn of Stody Lodge. Five primary schools in the Holt area have entered their year’s 4, 5 and 6 into this botanical art competition. The finalists will be judged by celebrated local botanical artist Sarah Caswell and the three winners will have their art work professional framed and presented to them at Stody Lodge Gardens on Wednesday 11th May.

The Stody Kids for Kids Family Fun Day is in support of The North Norfolk Radio Kids Trust. The Holt Youth Project will provide delicious homemade teas with all proceeds going to the charity.

Don't miss our first open day this Sunday 1st May 2016!

Stody Lodge Gardens is open to the public this Sunday 1st May from 1pm - 5pm. Don't miss its stunning magnolias, camellias, early azaleas and rhododendrons, carpets of late daffodils and bluebells.

Entrance is £5, children under 12 free, payable by cash or cheque. Dogs on leads welcome. Delicious homemade teas in aid of Thornage Hall.

The unmissable Stody Boutique Festival on Sunday 22nd May 2016!

On Sunday 22nd May 2016, Stody Lodge Gardens is teaming up with national event organisers, Britain Does Vintage, to host a brand new, exciting boutique festival in the heart of North Norfolk. 

Set within Stody’s brightly coloured gardens and surrounding parkland, the boutique festival will be the home to Norfolk’s finest artisans, specialist food producers, live music, demonstrations and tastings, a handful of classic cars, children’s activities including farm yard animals and treasure hunt, relaxation zone, prosecco bar – and of course vintage stalls. 

There is a fantastic music line-up with Katrina from the grammy-nominated band, Katrina & the Waves, performing on the terrace of Stody Lodge. Katrina’s ‘Walking on Sunshine’ was a top ten hit around the globe in 1985 and in 1997 her song ‘Love Shine A Light’ won the Eurovision Song Contest with the largest ever margin.

There will also be live music from the brilliant Norfolk folk band Rattlebox and the most perfect vintage DJ, Major Swing and Kitty, will also keep toes tapping with his excellent selection of music from the 20s through to the late 40s and his troupe of professional vintage dance instructors. If you can’t resist having a singalong yourself, then you can let rip with 60s and 70s karaoke inside Songstream Studio’s mobile American Airstream. We also have blacksmith and log carving demonstrations throughout the day alongside crafty workshops for all ages and Junk In Love’s fabulous vintage style Photo Booth with lots of fancy dress.

Hungry visitors will not be disappointed. Expect the most fabulous afternoon teas with Melonberry Vintage, the best fish and chips you’ve ever tasted served from a retro red bus by Red Bus Food, handcrafted pizzas by The Woodfired Feast and ice cream by The Tricicle! If the sound of a rustic Norfolk craft ale and local cider bar takes your fancy then join East Coast Bars throughout the day. Are cocktails and prosecco more your thing? Not a problem - we have Coot & Moorhen with us serving up lovely fizzy drinks! 

It promises to be the perfect Sunday outing.

Entrance £9, children under 12 free. Tickets available at the entrance to the festival, payable by cash only.

For more information on the Stody Boutique Festival please join us on Facebook.

Stody Lodge Gardens raises £14,800 for local and national charities during its May 2015 season

Stody Lodge Gardens is delighted to have raised £14,800 for nine different charities during its May 2015 garden opening.  

This year Stody Lodge Gardens enjoyed record visitor numbers due to a fantastic flowering season as well as its hosting of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition. Fifteen of the UK’s leading animal artists, both painters and sculptors, exhibited their finest work within the gardens of Stody Lodge throughout the month of May. Visitors flocked to see the dazzling floral colours and the beautiful art, to the benefit of many local and national good causes.  

Charities that were invited to provide delicious homemade teas, from which they took all the profits, were as follows: 

·       The Holt Youth Project - an award-winning scheme which serves young people across North Norfolk

·       About with Friends - a Cromer-based charity supporting children, young people and adults with learning disabilities

·       The Stody & Hunworth Village Hall

·       St Johns Ambulance - leading first aid charity across the UK

·       North Norfolk Riding for the Disabled

·       Heritage House - a day-care centre for the elderly and frail in Wells-next-the-sea

Funds were also raised for Ormiston Families, the charity caring for vulnerable children, young people and families across East Anglia. Ormiston Families was the nominated charity for the Private View of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition on 16th May. £6,000 was raised for the charity through ticket and art sales as well as the online auction of a beautiful sculpture of a young rhino that was kindly donated by leading South African artist, Bruce Little. 

Stody Lodge Gardens was also delighted to support North Norfolk Radio’s Kids Trust. Proceeds from the highly popular ‘Stody Kids for Kids’ family day on 10th May were donated to the charity which supports local children and families in the North Norfolk area. 

 Lastly, Stody Lodge also raised funds for the charities selected by the National Garden Scheme (“NGS”) through a special open day for its members on Tuesday 19th May.  This year, the charities nominated by the NGS are Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Queen's Nursing Institute, Perennial and Parkinsons UK.

 Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “We are delighted to have been able to support so many different charities – all of whom are doing fantastic work and really having an impact in their chosen areas. Plans are already underway for the May 2016 open days with lots to enjoy alongside the beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas.”

The May 2016 dates are as follows (open daily 1pm – 5pm):

·       Sunday 1st May 2016

·       Sunday 8th May 2016– the Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ family day

·       Sunday 15th May 2016

·       Sunday 22nd May 2016

·       Tuesday 24th – Friday 27th May 2016

·       Sunday 29th May 2016

·       Bank Holiday Monday 30th May 2016

·       Sunday 5th June 2016

Last chance to visit Stody Lodge Gardens this Sunday 31st May 1pm - 5pm

On Sunday, Stody Lodge Gardens opens its doors to the public for the last time this May. Visitors will be amazed by the riot of colour that continues within the gardens thanks to this year's late flowering season. Many rhododendrons are just beginning to open their petals, particularly the more unusual varieties in soft corals, yellows and dark reds. Most azaleas and some camellias are still in flower and stunning drifts of colourful petals line the woodland walk ways below earlier flowering species. The 2,000 azalea mollis plants continue to blaze in Stody's 2 acre Azalea Water Gardens with much dramatic colour and interest for horticulturalists and photographers alike.

The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens continues with works by South African Bruce Little such as his stunning sculpture of a leopard, entitled 'Down to Earth' (depicted above.) Three of Tom Hiscocks' 'Queens Beasts' are on display, which have recently been exhibited at Blenheim Palace. And Jamie Wild's stunning Sail Fish and delightful Roe Deer, whose life like energy bely the cold steel they are made out of, continue to enjoy their floral home at Stody Lodge.

Entrance is £5 (cash or cheque), children under 12 free. Delicious homemade teas will be provided by Heritage House. Dogs on leads are welcome. There is ample free parking and a plant stall.

Stody Lodge Gardens and the Animal Art Fair raise £6,000 for Ormiston Families

The Future, by Bruce Little

The Animal Art Fair and Stody Lodge Gardens are delighted to have raised £6,000 for Ormiston Families, the charity caring for vulnerable children, young people and families across East Anglia.

Ormiston Families was the nominated charity for the Animal Art Fair’s Spring Exhibition this May at Stody Lodge’s sensational rhododendron and azalea gardens near Holt. Funds were raised at the Private View of the Spring Exhibition on Saturday 16th May as well as through the online auction of a beautiful sculpture by Bruce Little. This delightful sculpture of a young rhino, entitled The Future, was sold to an anonymous bidder for £1,700.

The funds raised will go to two of Ormiston Families’ key Norfolk projects:

HMP Norwich - aimed at maintaining positive links between prisoners and their families, a wide range of services are offered including children visits; ‘baby-bonding’ sessions; accredited parenting courses; and ‘Story Book Dads’ scheme, whereby fathers dictate stories onto CDs for their children to keep.

The Holt Youth Project – Ormiston Families works in partnership with Holt Youth Project to deliver Young Carer’s Groups - supporting children and young people who find themselves caring for family members with illness, disability or drug-dependency, whether short-term or long-term.

Stody Lodge Gardens open today and Bank Holiday Monday 25th May, 1pm - 5pm

Stody Lodge Gardens is open today, Sunday 24th May, and Monday Bank Holiday 25th May, from 1pm - 5pm. The rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom and visitors can also enjoy the final two days of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition in the exhibition marquee on Stody Lodge's main lawn.

£5 entrance (cash or cheque), children under 12 free. Ample free parking, dogs on leads welcome and plant stall. Delicious homemade teas by the Holt Youth Project.

Stody Lodge Gardens opens this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1pm - 5pm

To celebrate its collaboration with the Animal Art Fair this May, Stody Lodge Gardens is for the first time opening to the public mid-week. Visitors can come and enjoy 14 acres of rhododendrons, azaleas and specimen trees in and amongst the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition and Sculpture Gardens.

Doors will open from 1pm - 5pm on Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd May. 

Entrance £5 (cash or cheque), children under 12 free. Delicious homemade teas provided by About with Friends. Ample free parking, plant stalls and dogs on leads welcome.

Stody Lodge Gardens opens in aid of the National Garden Scheme today 1pm - 5pm

Stody Lodge is delighted to be opening its gardens in aid of the National Garden Scheme today, Tuesday 19th May, from 1pm - 5pm. Non-members also welcome.

Entrance is £5 (no concessions) and proceeds will go to the charities selected by the National Garden Scheme.  This year these include: Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care,Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Queen's Nursing Institute, Perennial and Parkinsons UK. 

Delicious homemade teas will be provided by About with Friends. There is a plant stall, ample free parking and dogs on leads are welcome.

The Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition opens this Sunday 17th May

A collection of beautiful paintings and sculptures by the UK’s leading animal artists at Stody Lodge Gardens near Holt

This Sunday 17th May, the doors of a specially designed exhibition marquee on the lawn of Stody Lodge near Holt will open to the general public. Stunning oils, watercolours, drawings and table top sculptures by fifteen of the UK’s leading animal artists will be on display for everyone to enjoy.

From pop art representations of African animals, traditional watercolours of British game, dramatic contemporary racing images or delightful pencil drawings capturing the character of a much-loved Norfolk terrier, there will be something to suit everyone’s taste and pocket.

The Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition will run from 17th to 25th May 2015 (open daily 1pm - 5pm excluding Monday 18th and Saturday 23rd May.)

Since 3rd May, Stody Lodge’s celebrated rhododendron and azalea gardens have played host to over twenty five life size sculptures as part of the Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens. Visitors have been able to follow winding pathways under canopies of rhododendron blooms to discover beautiful life size pieces within the different areas of Stody Lodge's 14-acre garden. The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens exhibition is open to the public 1pm – 5pm every Sunday in May plus 1pm – 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May.

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “We are really delighted to have secured this wonderful art exhibition for Norfolk.  We have had a fantastic response to the Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens with record visitor numbers and we are very excited about the fun and enjoyment that the Spring Exhibition itself will bring.”

Jamie Polk, Founder and Director of the Animal Art Fair, said: “Holding our Spring Exhibition within Stody Lodge’s exceptional gardens is a perfect fit for us: beautiful art in beautiful surroundings. The artists we have selected to take part in the exhibition offer something for everyone and we are delighted to be introducing some of the UK’s leading animal artists to this very special county.”

Exhibiting artists include Guy Allen, Ashley Boone, Lucy Boydell, Kate Denton, Bruce Little, Ian Edwards, Matt Falle, Tom Hiscocks, Michelle McCullagh and Jamie Wild.

Entrance £5 (children under 12 free).

Announcing the winners of the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards!

Stody Lodge Gardens and the Animal Art Fair are delighted to announce the three winners of the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards:

In the year 4 category, Jesse Brown of Corpusty Primary School was selected by the Animal Art Fair panel for his excellent use of colour and different mediums in his delightful depiction of a frog floating in bubbling blue-green water.

In the year 5 category, Carys Thaxster of Astley Primary School was chosen for her ambitious use of foreshortening and perspective and anatomically accurate drawing of two beautiful kestrels.

In the year 6 category, William Stoppani of Beeston Hall Preparatory School stood out for his remarkably lifelike painting of a kingfisher. His energetic use of paint perfectly depicted the movement of the bird’s wings and the beady gleam of its eye.

Five North Norfolk primary schools were invited to take part in the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards as part of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge Gardens this May. Years 4, 5 and 6 at Astley Primary School, Holt Community Primary School, Corpusty Primary School, Beeston Hall Preparatory School and Greshams Preparatory School have in the past two weeks been hard at work creating beautiful depictions of animals, birds or fish in any frameable medium.  The 45 finalists were exhibited at a fun-packed day at Stody Lodge on Sunday 10th May with children coming to admire their art and enjoy the pony rides, petting zoo, goat show and treasure hunt throughout Stody’s 14-acre gardens.

Jamie Polk, founder of the Animal Art Fair, selected the three winners from each year group and has invited the three winning paintings to be hung for sale alongside the works of some of the UK’s leading animal artists as part of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition from 17th May – 25th May.

Jamie Polk, said: ‘I was very impressed by the strong lines and unfettered approach taken by these young artists – it shows just exactly how children see life and wildlife around them. It was very hard to choose but all three pictures will be a welcome addition to the works of the UK’s leading animal artists as part of our Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge Gardens next week.’

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: ‘The standard of art work was really very high with a huge variety of different mediums and approaches to representing wildlife. We are delighted that the Animal Art Fair has inspired our local primary school children to be so creative. With the three winning paintings being hung for sale in the Spring Exhibition, we are very hopeful that this could be a fantastic start to a budding art career.”

Come and enjoy a day of family fun with the Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ day this Sunday 1pm – 5pm

Children enjoying delicious ronado ice creams at stody lodge gardens

This Sunday 10th May is the long-awaited Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ Day with a wide range of fun and entertainment for all the family.

Ponies Bonzo, Mitch the Titch and Dolly have been undergoing a rigorous grooming programme to get spruced up and ready for the pony rides. Duncan Jeary will be bringing two yearling calves from his award-winning pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd and Gareth Daniels will be allowing visitors to admire his delightful lambs. 

A treasure hunt will also test the wiliest of pirates who will need their wits about them to find the treasure in and amongst the Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens. A selection of the UK’s leading animal sculptors are exhibiting their works within the gardens of Stody Lodge throughout May.  Visitors will be able to follow winding pathways under canopies of rhododendron blooms to discover beautiful life size pieces within the different areas of Stody Lodge's 14-acre garden.  

The finalists of the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards will also be exhibited in an exhibition marquee on the lawn of Stody Lodge. Five local primary schools have entered the competition as part of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge Gardens this May. Pupils at Astley Primary School, Holt Community Primary School, Corpusty Primary School, Beeston Hall Preparatory School and Greshams Preparatory School are putting the finishing touches to their animal art this week. The finalists will be judged by the Animal Art Fair panel and the three winners will be presented with their professionally framed paintings at Stody Lodge on Monday 11th May.

Over at the Azalea Water Gardens, via Ronaldo’s sensational ice cream van, Stody is delighted to be hosting the Norwich & District Kid and Goatling Show. Young goats and adorable kids will be on parade with plenty of opportunity for visitors to pet the animals and get involved.  And if that wasn’t enough, children can also have their face painted!

Entrance is £5, children under 12 free. Families are welcome to bring dogs, there are great picnic spots, a plant stall and delicious homemade teas.

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: ‘We are delighted to be hosting the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge and wanted to have a day to celebrate this exciting collaboration with younger visitors in mind. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to what promises to be a day of real animal magic.’

On Sunday 10th May Stody Lodge Gardens is delighted to be supporting North Norfolk Riding for the Disabled through the homemade teas and pony rides. Proceeds from the day will also be donated to North Norfolk Radio Kids' Trust.

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