Holkham Hall, Norfolk – 9th & 10th October – UPDATES
Dear friends, we are looking forwards to seeing many of you in Norfolk in October. Bookings are well underway, so if you are planning to join us please do register – or let us know to reserve a place.
We are delighted and really excited to be able to confirm our speakers for the Forum, to celebrate the last 25 years and look forwards to the challenges and opportunities to consider for the future of these remarkable gardens.
Details of the talks will follow, but for now, with an unknown number of years of combined experience and knowledge, between them, our speakers are:
Pam Smith – National Trust, Senior National Consultant for Gardens and Parks.
Pam describes herself as a Horticulturist and botanical heritage explorer alongside her role as Senior National Consultant for Garden & Parklands with National Trust. Pam is also Chair of Horticultural Trustees, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
John Lawson – Expert in greenhouses and heating
John has been sales director at Alitex Group, for nearly 40 years and managing director of Harrier Garden Developments since 2000 – a longstanding friend and supporter of the Network since the beginning.
Sheila Das – Head of Gardens and Parks, National Trust
Previously with English Heritage, Royal Botanic Garden, Kew and The Grove Hotel. Sheila was Garden Manager at RHS Garden Wisley from 2015 to 2024 with responsibility for practical training, edible growing, the Wellbeing Garden and the Members’ Seed Scheme. She has been Head of Gardens and Parks for the National Trust since 2025.
Mark Morrell – Head Gardener, Holkham Hall
Mark has been head gardener at Holkham since 2019, taking over the role of managing the historic six-acre Walled Garden and estate grounds. He will share the story and history of the gardens and walled gardens, and their restoration, and give us an idea of what lies ahead as the walled gardens and glasshouses continue to evolve.
We are in discussion with the other gardens that we’ll visit on Saturday 10th October, which will include the beautiful productive walled kitchen garden at Salle Park Estate. More to follow!
Keep an eye on the Events and Training page for further updates and information: https://www.walledgardens.net/events-training/walled-kitchen-gardens-network-forum-2026/
Booking for the Forum is still open, please register using the form below.