Helmingham and the Tollemache family
have been together for many hundreds
of years. The Hall and the old
oak trees that you see today have seen
much of the history of England pass
before them, and many generations of
this family. dates from the reign of
Henry VIII.
The gardens consist of an historic
walled kitchen garden, magnificent
herbaceous and spring borders, wild
flower garden, a herb and a knot garden,
including a large collection of old
fashioned roses.
The Park encloses 400 acres and has
large herds of both red and fallow
deer. Every year the stags grow antlers
which they shed in the spring and, as
they mature, the antlers grow to huge
proportions. The deer have been in the
Park for many centuries - the earliest
mention of them is in 1660.
John Constable lived for some time at
Helmingham Rectory, and painted a
number of versions of A Dell in Helmingham
Park. The oak tree in that picture,
with its singular curved trunk,
still stands. Some of the famous Helmingham
oaks in the Park are estimated
to be up to 900 years old, and many
have immense girths, but the splendid
oak avenue leading up the front drive
was planted about 1680.
More Than Good Manners look forward
to introducing you to the splendour
of Helmingham Hall.
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