From the Benedictine monks to today
In his Rule St Benedict stipulated that travellers and sick people must be cared for. God was believed to be the only true doctor, but the infirmarer (the monk in charge of the Infirmary) had the skills to use plants as well as prayer to alleviate all kinds of common ailments.
The first herb gardens were created by monks. They were the only ones who could read classical Latin texts, who had some knowledge of both physiology and botany. They made mistakes, but these were compensated for by the pastoral care they gave to their patients.
Traditionally, herb gardens served both the local community and travellers passing through. At the 12th century almshouse of St Cross in Winchester they would give curative herbs and food to any traveller who asked. At the Abbey of Soutra (founded 1164AD) in the Scottish lowlands, the monks gave opium and cannabis to ease the pain of soldiers wounded in the border wars.
It has long been appreciated that the herbs carefully tended in these herb gardens help people through their beauty and presence as much as through the chemicals they contain. As John Gerard, Britain's most famous herbalist, wrote of the sweet violet: 'They have a great prerogative above others, not only because the mind conceiveth a certain pleasure and recreation by smelling and handling these most odoriferous of flowers [which] cannot be but very good and honest: for they admonish and stir up a man to that which is comely and honest'.
The recreated Norwich Cathedral Herb Garden revives all of these traditions. It is:
- a show garden of herbs, old and new,
- an educational resource for studying the increasingly crucial importance of plants in our lives, and
- a quiet place of great beauty for the ‘pleasure and recreation' of the whole community.
Location
The original physic garden was next to the Infirmary as shown on our monastic plan. Today’s Herb Garden has been developed as close to the original site as possible as shown on our site plan.
Opening Hours
Entry is free and accessible. The Herb Garden is open 9.00am to 5.00pm daily.
Want to find out more?
Anyone is welcome to visit the Herb Garden. If you would like to learn more about the garden, our Visitor Officer runs tours and the Education Department organises schools workshops and family events. Herb Garden events are also listed in the website diary.
To learn more before or after a visit, you might like to buy The Herb Garden at Norwich Cathedral (£5). Written by two of the Herb Garden team it contains a wealth of information about the stories and uses of the plants grown here. It is available from the Cathedral Gift Shop at the back of the Nave or online.
Want to get involved?
Are you interested in helping? Do you have a few hours to spare? The Herb Garden is run entirely by volunteers and newcomers are always welcome. You will find details in the Volunteers section of this website.