Garden Visits

Departing from The Cock Horse Car Park in Lavenham at 9:45am prompt.

We will be arriving at the stunning gardens of  Stody Lodge at about midday, where we will explore the gardens and have the opportunity for refreshments, leaving there at 2pm to go on into Holt to explore the town, with its many galleries, cafes, gift and antique shops, before departing at 4pm for home.

In late May, Stody Lodge Gardens is typically in full bloom with a spectacular display of rhododendrons and azaleas, which are the main highlights of the season, with a collection of over 200 varieties. The beautiful four acre Azalea Water Garden featuring thousands of Azalea mollis plants is usually a dramatic blaze of colour at this time.

Other plants you may see include lilies, peonies, lupins, delphiniums and roses. Notable trees include a magnificent Davidia involucrata, a Norway Maple planted in 1985 for a WW11 reunion as well as collections of Magnolia, Camellia and various ornamental species like Liquidambar Styraciflua, Eucryphia Nymansay, Cercis and Arbutus Unendo.

As we are arriving two hours before they officially open for the day, we should hopefully have plenty of quiet space to wander. No refreshments are included, but the tea room will be open for us.

We have a 53 seater luxury coach from Felix Coaches, and the cost of the coach ticket alone will be £18.50, entrance to the garden will be £10, but free to RHS Members as it is a partner garden, so book either the £18.50 or the £28.50 ticket. Once we have sold a total of 53 of combined tickets the coach will be full. 

We are offering the tickets to Boxford Garden Society and Lavenham Garden Club as well, in order to fill the coach, and tickets for everyone will be purchased through the EAGG website. Please book early to ensure your place as this is going to be a marvellous day out.

NON-RHS MEMBERS PRICE: £28.50
RHS MEMBERS PRICE: £18.50

This year we are privileged to have been invited to Stanley and Michael’s stunning garden – Bridges – for our Summer Social. Many of you will be familiar with the garden, but for those who are not, there is a treat in store! Banks of iris, an abundance of apple trees, spectacular roses, a classical ‘Umbrello’ and Shakespeare’s Garden, along with more beautifully themed enchanting areas. As an extra treat we will be serenaded by a Wind Quartet, kindly arranged by our hosts. Michael will be on hand to tell you the history of the garden and answer any questions you may have. 

This year, the Summer Social will be free of charge to members, guests will be charged £10. We will have a cheese and wine, strawberries and cream supper, (first glass of wine free, subsequent glasses £1 donation for the Hospice), and hopefully some wonderful weather to enjoy it all, finger’s crossed for the last one!

You will need to book, using the access code, in order that we know how many people to cater for, and guests can book separately in the usual way.

Tucked away in the Suffolk countryside, Porters Lodge is a haven of tranquillity where beautifully designed gardens meet the warmth of a country tearoom. The gardens ere created by Craig Wyncoll and architect Lionel Stirgess when they moved there in 1989. Their vision and dedication over many years has transformed the grounds into a place of lasting beauty. You will be able to explore the three-acre garden which features a series of garden rooms and delightful architectural structures, fountains and magical garden features all in a peaceful woodland setting. We will have unlimited teas and coffee and can choose from a selection of delicious home-made cakes.

Accessibility – While much of the garden is accessible for wheelchair users, a few areas have limited access due to the natural layout of the grounds. There is a unisex accessible toilet.

We will meet at 2pm, and the gardens are open until a ‘flexible’ 4pm. There is onsite parking.

Directions from Bury St. Edmunds: From the A14 junction 40, take the A143/A1101 heading northwest out of Bury At the junction just past Cavenham take the turning - Icknield Way. Continue along Icknield Way until you reach the entrance. If the small car park at the entrance is full, you can use the overflow spaces at the side of the road.

Price £13 to include teas and cake.