Redgrave Park opens its gates to give visitors a rare glimpse inside

Visitors were given a rare glimpse of a Suffolk landscape designed by the man often described as England’s greatest gardener.

Redgrave Park – landscaped in the 18th century by Capability Brown – was open to the public on September 1 and 2.

The rare chance to visit the park and lake was presented by Ann Topham, who owns a large section of the 500-acre park, which dates back to the Abbots of Bury St Edmunds.

Redgrave Hall was built by Sir Nicholas Bacon in 1545 and was later sold to Sir John Holt in 1702.

In the 1770s, Lancelot “Capability” Brown designed the parkland, with a serpentine lake, octagonal folly and a cottage.

The mansion which once stood on the site was demolished shortly after the Second World War.

“We held a flower festival in the folly and a display of Victorian crockery in the cottage,” said Mrs Topham.

“Displays showed the folly’s role in two world wars as a hospital, a prisoners’ camp and a gathering ground for the yeomanry.

“The event helped raise money to safeguard the folly for the future.

“We hope it will become an annual event.”

• For more pictures from this event, pick up a copy of this week's Diss Express newspaper.