Gooderstone Water Gardens, a family-run attraction near Swaffham, is set to close in April after 55 years welcoming visitors. The gardens were created in 1970 by Billy Knights and his wife Florence, before later being inherited by Coral and Ernest Hoyos, who reopened the site to the public in 2003.
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Under the Hoyos family’s stewardship, the attraction was expanded and modernised, with the addition of a new car park, a refurbished tearoom and gallery, and an eight-acre natural trail. The gardens feature a range of landscaped areas, including the East Pond, a bird hide, a bamboo grove, a scented arbour and a rustic roundhouse.
The decision to close has been attributed to age and health concerns. Coral Hoyos said that she and her husband, both now in their 80s, had reached a point where retirement was unavoidable. Efforts over the past two years to find an organisation to take over the long-term care and management of the gardens were unsuccessful.
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News of the closure has prompted an outpouring of regret from visitors, volunteers and gardeners associated with the site. Many have expressed hopes that the gardens can continue to serve as a haven for wildlife in the future. Gooderstone Water Gardens will officially close to the public on 3 April.
