Paradise water gardens closing after 50 years

1 February 2026

Clare Wordenin Gooderstone

Coral and Ernest Hoyos said the response to the news of the garden closing had been "overwhelming"

Clare Worden/BBC Coral and Ernest Hoyos sit in a small wooden hut behind them are mature trees in a range of greens, oranges and browns. They are in their 80s and Coral is wearing a black hat and purple coat. Ernest is wearing a brown coat. — Coral and Ernest Hoyos said the response to the news of the garden closing had been "overwhelming"

The owners of a six-acre water garden in Norfolk say they are retiring and closing to the public.

Gooderstone Water Gardens, near Swaffham, has been open for 50 years.

Coral and Ernest Hoyos said, for them, their garden was paradise but the upkeep and paperwork was becoming too much.

They couple, who are both in their 80s, said despite repeated efforts they had not found an organisation willing to take on the site and it would close to the public in April.

Hundreds of people have shared memories of visiting the garden on social media after its closure was announced

Gooderstone Water Gardens View of a garden with a large pond in the foreground and a white bridge over the water on the left side of the picture. It is sunset and the orange light of the sun is reflected in the water and contrasts with the many shades of green from the plants. — Hundreds of people have shared memories of visiting the garden on social media after its closure was announced

The garden was created in 1970 by farmer Billy Knights, Coral's father, who had found the land too wet to graze cattle on.

After his death, the site was unattended for five years before Coral and Ernest decided to restore it and reopen to visitors.

The beauty spot has attracted about 16,000 visitors a year in recent times.

The garden was first established in 1970s by Billy and Florence Knights

Gooderstone Water Gardens Sepia tinted image of Billy and Florence Knights. He is wearing a hat, smart suit and tie. She is dressed in a white patterned top and black jacket. — The garden was first established in 1970s by Billy and Florence Knights

When news of the closure was announced on social media, hundreds of people shared their experiences of visiting and of their sadness that it would not be staying open.

Coral said: "I've thought about it every day; I've gone to bed thinking about it; I've got up thinking about it.

"It's been wonderful, but I don't consider myself a gardener or a horticulturalist.

"I haven't got any particular skills in that way in gardening, nor had my father actually.

"I just try and create beautiful vistas and I did a bit of painting before I had a garden — I've been painting with plants these last 25 years, really."

The garden website welcomes visitors who want "a restful break"

Andy Cobold/The Stoke Ferry Walking Group A large pond in the foreground is partly covered by green water plants. To the sides are lush banks with grasses growing high. In the background are two large weeping willows with leaves pouring down their trunks. — The garden website welcomes visitors who want "a restful break"

Ernest said they have spent two years trying to find an organisation willing to take on the upkeep of the gardens.

"There's been a great deal of interest, but at the end of the day none of them could come up with help," he said.

The family planned to keep the garden and let it return to nature, encouraging wading birds and kingfishers which frequently can be seen at Gooderstone.

The site has been popular with walkers, artists and photographers and comments online also show that it has been used by the community to celebrate birthdays and weddings.

Visit Norfolk said it was a "a sad yet incredibly proud moment" for Coral and Ernest to reflect on what they had created.