Whatever the weather there will be plenty to do and see on the Wolterton and Mannington estates this month. From April 18th the Artlands exhibition will be open throughout the Wolterton hall with a special evening viewing in aid of the Big C on April 24.

Whatever the weather there will be plenty to do and see on the Wolterton and Mannington estates this month.

From April 18th the Artlands exhibition will be open throughout the Wolterton hall with a special evening viewing in aid of the Big C on April 24.

Artlands will be showing a fascinating selection of pictures including 19th century etchings, drawings, watercolours and oils featuring members of the Norwich School. These will be exhibited throughout the rooms of the hall together with interesting modern paintings, tapestries and sculpture in bronze and wood.

At Mannington the year's programme begins with a guided walk featuring bird life led by countryside warden Andy Watson.

Mannington was one of the first country estates to encourage wildlife and employ trained countryside staff and it is encouraging to see how this policy has paid off with a wide variety of birds nesting in the garden and surrounding woodlands (Sunday, April 13, 11am).

A first for Mannington is a talk by Norwich local studies librarian Clive Wilkins Jones. The intriguing title “Seltzer water or whisky and water” refers to the story of the Mannington ghost. Respected writer, historian and headmaster of Norwich School, Augustus Jessopp believed he saw a vision of St Henry Walpole in the Mannington library; the Walpole who lived in the house at the time believed it was the butler removing the drinks tray! Find out the facts and make up your own mind (Friday, April 18, 7.30 for 8pm).

In May comes the first Mannington garden opening (4th) in aid of the National Gardens Scheme and at Wolterton a local craft, gifts and collectables fair in aid of Grooms-Shaftesbury (11th); organic garden day with launch of pictures of Mannington and Wolterton with images from six centuries in the hall (18th).

Walks at both properties open daily.