The River Lark runs along the eastern border of the gardens and has seen many changes since people first settled in the area.
The waters were vital to the wellbeing of the Abbey's community and they took full advantage by diverting the river to supply power to a mill and using the course of the river as a trading route when many a barge could be seen plying its way through the countryside.
Today the bankside is more formal, with plantings of decorative willow and dogwood. These shrubs are pruned annually to encourage the growth of their colourful stems that brighten the banks for the winter. Sights and sounds of the countryside are never far away as Kingfisher and Water Vole enjoy the fruits of the river.
