Back in 1970 retired farmer Billy Knights, then in his 70th year, looked out despairingly on his flooded meadow, which had become too wet for cows to graze. His son jokingly suggested he should make it into a water garden. The older man took a piece of old wallpaper and began drawing up plans.
Within a few years he had a garden good enough to open to the public and he continued to care for his garden till he died aged 93. In 2002 his daughter Coral began restoring the garden as a tribute to her parents. She's still doing the gardening today; we had a pleasant chat with her while we were walking around. It's not a huge garden, but we kept finding new scenes and secrets. Come and have a look....
Gooderstone Water Gardens is what you need to look out for if you're ever nearby - it's just along the narrow road from Oxburgh Hall. Such a peaceful, tranquil place to visit.
Take care.
How peaceful. I loved the shot of reflected man in the waterlily pond.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. That looks like a glorious place to visit. Such beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or water.
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ReplyDeletewhat a tranquil garden, it almost looks as if it has grown naturally.
Stunning and tranquil. What a beautiful garden!
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing the name of this wonderous garden. The garden has a website, and apparently the garden holds numerous events throughout the year. How absolutely wonderful!
Thanks ever so much for sharing!
Stay safe & well.
What a wonderful garden, very peaceful looking.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an incredibly beautiful place, John.
ReplyDeleteThe Redbud trees are not huge trees and the building behind it is new construction. Special pits were included for the trees to have space for roots and water so they should prosper there for many years.
Thank you. To you, to Billy Knights and all his family. This is a glorious spot.
ReplyDeleteQuite a marvelous place.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful and tranquil garden. I can feel the peace of being there through your very lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteJust lovely, John. Thanks for taking me!
ReplyDeleteYou have photographed this water garden magnificently. Every frame has a special interest to it.
ReplyDeleteThis lovely water garden has several views that bring to mind Monet's Giverny garden. Love that little rusty Robin - I want one now.
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for visiting it
It really does look wonderful, and it is a real tribute to Mr. Knights originally and now to Coral (lovely name) for ensuring that it continues to delight people.
ReplyDeletePeaceful indeed! The composition of these photos…exceptional!
ReplyDeleteI really love the idea that a man looked at something, saw what it could be and then turned it into his vision. All that work for no other reason than to provide pleasure. What a gift of grace to this world.
ReplyDeleteSi impresionante son las fotografÃas ¡ Como debe ser la experiencia, de pasear por él!
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo
The garden looks a wonderful place to wander and sit a while:)
ReplyDeleteI have spent ten minutes looking through this John - the beauty, the tranquility, it did my soul a power of good as I sit here still suffering from Shingles - what a wonderful, dreamlike place - a perfect example of a smallish but well thought out and well loved space. That first photograph is perfect preparation for the tour you have given us - a picture worth a thousnd words.
ReplyDeleteI visited your post on Weaver's recommendation and I am so glad I did. The water and gardens with flourishing plants and trees is most beautiful. Thank you for sharing all the lovely views in this garden.
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous. If only more people followed their inspiration in this kind of way.
ReplyDeleteAs a helper of the restoration of our village pond I am loving your pond photos
ReplyDeleteLovely
“The Beauty of Water” sounded compelling to me and soon I was admiring here and there as I walked around in this tranquil garden. What a fulfilling work Billy Knights did in his second life! And how nice that her daughter has taken care of the garden! I really love this natural, unpretentious garden despite being taken care of well.
ReplyDeleteIt’s absolutely beautiful! And what a wonderful start to my day! I wish I lived nearer and could visit but even your photos are a real treat as they shout out peace and tranquility! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that Billy's daughter is able to keep her Father's legacy going. Your first image immediately captured my attention for its perfect beauty and tranquillity. What a magical garden to visit.
ReplyDeleteThe garden was a very good idea! And it's wonderful!
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