Welle Manor Hall

Morning vibes as the sun shone through into the corridor with the sound of breakfast being prepared in the kitchen. Such a relief to have a calm start to the weekend after the storms of recent days. We hope you have also had a good start to your Saturday. Now to sit down to eggs and ham from

After being away much of the week for work, early into the greenhouse this morning to see what’s been going on. Seems the tomatoes 🍅 are going crazy 🤪 so lots of pasta sauces, bruschetta, chutney and soups in the weeks ahead! Plus a courgette that had bigger plans 😂

When you’re concerned because the gates keep fusing and the external lights won’t work, so you ask the electrician to find the problem. And he opens the junction box. And finds it’s become home to a massive family of big, fat, slugs. 🫣😩😱

The Monks’ Garden is thriving this year despite the disappointment of French beans not germinating. Today’s haul will keep us going well past the weekend. But what to make? Tomorrow we will pick fruit: lots of redcurrants, blackcurrants, strawberries and plums. But we may also need to water as it seems the summer really is getting hot this week!

We’ve been truly blessed this weekend with great weather, fantastic company and a delicious meal created by

We were pleased to host a brilliant spirit tasting session from We were led through various fins, vodkas, rums and even something unexpected at the end. Such fun and informative too. Thanks to Anthony for being a great instructor.

The latest addition to the Monks’ Garden, a new home for birds to make their own. Our wonderful maintenance guy (Den) gifted this to us and found the perfect spot for it. We look forward to seeing who moves in!

Another successful morning in Downham Market. Breakfast then bread and cakes from (and several treats for our greedy, demanding dog, so thank you to the team there); chose carpet at Bond & Lanchester Carpets before finally discovering where we bought a grapefruit reed diffuser and a To***co Absolute natural soy wax candle, both locally crafted. Now we are all set for our weekend guests!

Of all the days to be busy planting in the garden, its so hot 🥵☀️🍳
But a BBQ tonight as a reward, with a cheeky glass of vino, and asparagus from thr Monk's Garden, so can't complain.

Today’s project is the old church bench that is usually in the front porch. Even though it’s walked past dozens of times a day, it’s been allowed to become dusty and neglected so today it gets it’s once in a quarter century facelift! As you can see, not everyone is as invested in this enterprise 😴

Happy Monday! A new day, a new week and soon to be a new month. The sun is out at last. Maybe we can turn the heating off soon 🤞🏻

Wild garlic seasoning is in full swing! We love that it just explodes in various corners of the garden and makes a home in areas nothing else seems to grow. Looking forward to some pesto later this week 😉🤪

Walking the dog tonight, obviously the rain started the moment we turned out of the driveway! But we were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow (the camera phone doesn’t do it justice). Who cares about getting wet when nature gives you something so beautiful to look at?

Probably the last Spring flowers of the year from the garden. They smell beautiful and brighten up the hall.

The first asparagus of the year from the Monks’ Garden. This is a moment of actual celebration in this house as one of the first things we did in the garden was to restore the asparagus bed! Here’s to a great season.

This could easily become a weekend ritual. A visit to for bread and pastries for later, then to for cheeses and “bits”, then over to for a totally self-indulgent treat. And can I please state for the record, a teapot that doesn’t leak when pouring, a rarity these days 👏🏻

It may be a bit windy but it’s warm and sunny, so what better way to spend a quiet moment than to sit in the garden and contemplate. 🤔

Easter project completed. One of two new Lutyens benches for the garden. Where to place them? 🤔 The next one is a project for…another time. Back to the chocolates!

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas, wherever you are and however you spend the time.

The lavender seems to be thriving in this weird summer weather. This is the view from the Coach House. The area was overgrown and full of weeds when we moved here. We planted it early on and now it’s a thriving habitat for bees and rabbits and butterflies.

This giant sequoia or giant redwood is the greatest treasure of thr Welle Manor Hall garden. We’ve no idea how old it is but we understand that some of this species have been provided to be over 3,000 years old!
It dwarfs everything else for miles around. And we love the “faces” in the bark.

We may be eating fruit pies for some time!

It’s the weekend. Even the house seems relieved. It’s been a busy week. Here’s to peace and quiet. And chores. Lots of chores.

A sudden proliferation of toadstools everywhere! Look at these epic beauties outside the kitchen porch!

Day 2 of tree maintenance and the poor team are battling the elements. Let’s look at a stunning picture took yesterday when up@in the trees. You have to have a head for heights in their job 😬