Apple Café, the secret garden of West Acre, Norfolk.
A tranquil escape from life, to slow down, take in nature, and romanticise life for a few hours. Whether you bring a book and visit solo or with friends, you’re in for a treat. The gardens are a maze of pathways, taking you to benches scattered throughout and new sights around every corner. All paths lead back to Apple Café, with delicious food and drink to tantalise the tastebuds in a warming, friendly, homely atmosphere.
* Please note there is very little phone reception at some points on this drive/at this location. Please save/download map prior to leaving. Address: Tumbleyhill Rd, King’s Lynn PE32 2BW
Turn off the A47 onto a woodland country road (Narford Road). Trees line either side of the road with the sun occasionally peaking through the leaves. Continuing along the road, leaving the forest behind, you reach a dip in the road and a wooded sign sending you left towards West Acre (River road). Turning left the road dips down leading you over the single track bridge into the village. Passing west acre independent theatre on your left, a great source of pride for the village, you head through the village taking in the quaint homes and village life. Reaching the crossroads at the top of the village you take a right (Walton Road) toward west acre gardens, shortly followed by a left (Tumbleyhill Road). The road takes you back up into the woodland, trees line both sides of the road as every so often you pass a quaint cottage by the side of the road. A few miles up the tree lined road you spot a hand painted sign on your left for West Acre Gardens and Apple Cafe sending you to the right. As you turn off the tree lined road and immediately take another right the woodland opens before you revealing West Acre Hall, and the track to West Acre Gardens and Apple Cafe. You slow right down and rumble over the cattle grid, creeping along as sheep scatter in front of you, the second cattle grid takes you into the grass car park. Address: Tumbleyhill Rd, King’s Lynn PE32 2BW
Walking up to the garden gate feels a little like how I imagine walking up to the secret garden might feel in “Frances Hodgson Burnett” novel. The gravel path takes you through the gates with Apple café and nursery to your right, and a secret path to the gardens on your left.
Take the left path through the willows and watch the gardens open up before you. Flowers climb the old walls of the garden, trees gently sway in the breeze with benches beneath beckoning you to sit and soak it all in. The grass is lush under foot and perfect for bare feet on a warm summers day. You meander through the gardens, exploring and taking it all in. Peaking through the metal gate you spot the tree swing in the distance and west acre hall. Apple café is situated in the middle of the gardens. People are sat on the patio with its vine covered gazebo, chatting away enjoying the sunshine, a puppy is curled up enjoying the heat from the sun. The glass doors are open and you walk into the café. The counter has a display of delicious, freshly made cakes, the ladies welcome you with smiles as you choose your treat. Up the four stairs, fairy lights run along the roof around the dining room, exposed brick and rustic chairs add to the charm of the café. Fresh flowers are on every table and on your right the reading nook.
There’s an air of slowing down, taking in the moments, and romanticising your life at west acre gardens and apple cafe. A favourite escape for me and many others. Take a book and waste time enjoying this slice of escapism with delectable treats and good company.
Apple Café is open during the spring, summer, and autumn months. Check their Instagram for the latest opening times.
