One of south Norfolk’s finest private gardens is being thrown open to the public this weekend to provide a rare chance to sample its delights and raise funds for two of the county’s leading charities.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: The rose garden at Ditchingham Hall is always popular with visitors.The rose garden at Ditchingham Hall is always popular with visitors. (Image: Archant)

The walled gardens and rolling woodland at Ditchingham Hall, near Bungay, are being opened on Sunday with proceeds going to the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind and the Norfolk Community Foundation.

The gardens will also be open to the public on Sunday, July 13.

The estate, owned by Earl Ferrers, has a tradition of opening the spectacular gardens only twice each year to give green-fingered fans the opportunity to see and soak up the normally hidden gem.

Estate spokesman Jane Wickstead said: “We can promise visitors an unforgettable experience in acres of stunning parkland not generally available to them.

“It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to charities that do so much inspiring work in our county.”

Ditchingham Hall’s gardens include immaculate themed borders and a rose garden, plus a woodland garden featuring majestic plane and Cedar of Lebanon trees.

More than 40 hectares of landscaped park, lake and woodland – all overlooked by the Grade One, Queen Anne hall which dates from 1710 – is also available for visitors to roam.

The NNAB Open Day on June 8 will involve demonstrations of craft ware by visually impaired people, as well as live music and homemade teas.

On July 13, the Norfolk Community Foundation plan entertainment provided by musical groups the charity has grant-aided in the past, and refreshments.

• Ditchingham Hall is on the B1332 (Norwich Road) 12 miles south of Norwich and three miles from Bungay. Entrance fee is £3 with children under 12 admitted free.