Gardens

Penshurst Place Gardens

Distance: Centre of Penshurst Village

11 acres of garden dating back to C14; garden divided into series of rooms by over a mile of yew hedge; profusion of spring bulbs. Official re-opening of herbaceous borders in 2012; formal rose garden; famous peony border. Woodland trail and arboretum. All-yr interest. Toy museum

Open: All year round

Yew Tree Cottage, Penshurst, TN11 8AT

Distance: In Penshurst

Small, romantic, hillside cottage garden with steep entrance. Lots of seats and secret corners, many unusual plants - hellebores, spring bulbs, old roses, many special perennials. Small pond; something to see in all seasons. Created and maintained by owner, a natural garden full of plants

Open: Weds, Sats & Suns: 4th & 5th week of Feb, then 2nd and 4th week of each month, Mar to Aug incl and 2nd . Tel. 01892 870689
Unsuitable for coaches. Please phone if needing advice for directions

Stonewall Park, Chiddingstone Hoath, TN8 7DG

Distance: 0.88 miles from Penshurst

Romantic woodland garden in historic setting featuring species rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas, a range of interesting trees and shrubs, wandering paths and lakes. Historic parkland with cricket ground, Victorian walled garden with herbaceous borders and vegetable garden backed by 100 yr-old espalier pear trees. Sea of wild daffodils in March

Open: Suns 25 Mar; 6 May (1.30-5). Visitors also welcome by appt

Hever Castle Gardens, Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG

Distance: 3 miles from Penshurst

Romantic double moated castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, set in 125 acres of formal and natural landscape. Topiary, Tudor herb garden, magnificent Italian gardens with classical statuary, sculpture and fountains. 38-acre lake, yew and water mazes. Walled rose garden with over 4000 roses, 110 metre-long herbaceous border. Tel 01732 865224

Open: All year

Hall Place, Leigh

Distance: 3.24 miles from Pernshurst

Large outstanding garden with 11-acre lake, lakeside walk crossing over picturesque bridges. Many rare and interesting trees and shrubs

Open: Suns 13, 27 May (2-6).

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Sevenoaks, TN15 ORR

Distance: 6.38 miles from Penshurst

Beautiful hillside garden, privately owned by the Rogers family since 1840, with extensive views across the Weald of Kent. Spectacular rhododendrons, azaleas and fine specimen trees. Bluebell and natural woodland walks. Children’s adventure playground, den-building trail, hedge maze and ‘Yeti Spotting’

Open: For NGS: Weds 25 Apr; 23 May (10.30-5).

Warren House, Crowborough

Distance: 7.28 miles

Nine acre garden and views over Ashdown Forest. Series of gardens old and new, displaying wealth of azaleas, rhododendrons, impressive variety of trees and shrubs. Sweeping lawns framed by delightful walls and terraces, woodlands, ponds, wildlife area

Open: Sun 22 Apr; Mon 7, Sun 20 May; Mon 4 June (2-5).

Knole House, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3HU

Distance: 7.47 miles from Penshurst.

Lord Sackville’s private garden at Knole commands the most beautiful view of the house. An impressive display of bluebells can be seen in Apr and May. Towards the end of May and throughout June, the magnificent wisteria wall provides the most glorious and delicately scented backdrop to the garden

Open: For NGS: Tues 3 Apr; 1 May; 5 June; 3 July; 7 Aug (11-4, last entry 3).

Ashdown Park Hotel, Wych Cross, Sussex RH18 5JR

Distance: 8.16 miles

186 acres of parkland, grounds and gardens surrounding Ashdown Park Hotel. Our 'Secret Garden' is well worth a visit with many new plantings. Large number of deer roam the estate and can often be seen during the day. Enjoy and explore the woodland paths, quiet areas and views.

Open: Suns 15 Apr; 7 Oct (2-5).

2 Quarry Cottages, Wall Hill Road, Ashurst Wood, RH19 3TQ

Distance: 6.95 miles

Peaceful little garden that has evolved over 40yrs in the present ownership. A natural sandstone outcrop hangs over an ornamental pond; mixed borders of perennials and shrubs with specimen trees. Many seating areas tucked into corners. Highly productive vegetable plot. Also open Caxton Manor (separate admission)

Open: Fri 18, Sat 19 May (2-5).

Caxton Manor

Distance: 6.95 miles

Delightful Japanese-inspired gardens planted with mature rhododendrons, azaleas and acers, surrounding large pond with boat house, massive rockery and waterfall, beneath the home of the late Sir Archibald McIndoe (house not open). Japanese tea house and Japanese-style courtyard. Also open 2 Quarry Cottages (separate admission)

Open: Fri 18, Sat 19 May (2-5). Groups of 20+ also welcome by app.

Leydens, Hartfield Road, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 5NH

1m S of Edenbridge on B2026 towards Hartfield. Admission £3.50 children free. Private garden of garden designer, nursery owner and gardener who won Gold & Best in Show at Chelsea in 2002 with the NGS garden. Plenty of planting ideas several water features, plants clearly labelled and fact sheet available

Open: Sun 5 Aug (12-5)

Old Buckhurst, Nr Edenbridge, TN85PH

Distance: 1.96 miles from Penshurst.

1-acre partly-walled cottage garden around C15 Grade II Listed farmhouse (not open to the public). Comments from Visitors’ Book: ‘perfect harmony of vistas, contrasts and proportions. Everything that makes an English garden the envy of the world’. ‘The design and planting is sublime, a garden I doubt anyone could forget’. Mixed borders with roses, clematis, wisteria, poppies, iris, peonies, lavender, July/Aug a wide range of day lilies

Open: For NGS: Weds, Sats 18, 21, 25, 28 Apr, Sun 29 Apr; Sat 12, Sun 13, Wed 16, Sat 19, Wed 30 May; Sat 9, Wed 13, Sat 23, Sun 24 June; Sun 1, Weds 18, 25 July; Wed 1, Sun 5 Aug; Sat 1, Sun 2, Wed 5, Sat 8, Sun 9 Sept (11-5, last entry 4.30).

Crown House, Sham Farm Road, Eridge, Sussex, TN3 9JU

Distance: 4.87 miles from Penshurst

Situated in an AONB, 1½ acres with pools and fountain, rose garden and rose walk, herbaceous borders and heather border, herb garden. Full size croquet lawn. Laid out as a series of garden rooms in the style of Gertrude Jekyll. Panoramic views of the High Weald and Eridge Park

Open: Open by appt for individual visitors and groups of up to 50. Open most days, incl weekends, from 2-dusk. Please phone to confirm availability of proposed date of visit. Please give at least 24hrs notice

Honnington Farm, Vauxhall Lane, Southborough, TN4 0XD

Distance: 3.99 miles

6-acre garden, with heavy clay soil enriched yearly and producing a wide range of habitats, incl water and bog gardens, primrose and bluebell walks. Wildlife promotion a priority. Natural pool in wild flower meadow. Rose walkways, rockery, lakes and water features. Large herbaceous beds, some with New Zealand influence. Wonderful views

Open: Sun 3, Mon 4, Tue 5 June (11-4). Groups of 6+ also welcome by appt Tel. Mrs Ann Tyler 07780 800790

Upper Pryors, Butterwell Hill, Cowden, Kent, TN8 7HB

Distance: 2.88 miles

Ten acres of English country garden surrounding C16 house - a garden of many parts; colourful profusion, interesting planting arrangements, immaculate lawns, mature woodland, water and a terrace on which to appreciate the view, and tea!

Open: Wed 20 June, open Day (1-6pm, £4) & Evening (6-9pm, £5 with wine). Contact Mr & Mrs S. Smith.

Bounds End, 2 St. Lawrence Avenue, Bidborough TN4 0XB

Distance: 3.45 miles

Garden, designed by owners, on an unusually-shaped 1/3-acre plot formed from 2 triangles of land. Front garden features raised beds, and the main garden divided into a formal area with terrace, pebble bed and 2 pergolas, an informal area in a woodland setting with interesting features and specimen trees. Plenty of places to sit and enjoy the garden

Open: Sun 22 July (11-5). Visitors also welcome by appt, up to 20 visitors in July & Aug
Tel. Carole & Mike Marks 01892 542233

Hever Castle & Gardens

13th century romantic double-moated castle, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, and set in spectacular award winning gardens. The quintessential English garden including topiary walk, Tudor herb garden, Italian gardens with classical statuary, sculpture and fountains, walled rose garden with over 4000 roses, 110 metre herbaceous border, dahlia border, 38-acre lake, yew and water mazes, grottoes, cascades and fountains. Special Garden Events include Rose Week (20 – 26 June) which is a must for all rose and herb lovers. New Guthrie Pavilion Restaurant for lunches and teas.

Telephone: 01732 865224 www.hevercastle.co.uk

Groombridge Place

Voted the best garden attraction in the UK (Good Britain Guide 2003), Groombridge Place Gardens and the Enchanted Forest, near Royal Tunbridge Wells, is a fabulous mix of quintessentially English formal gardens and informal woodland gardens.