Kent
I love to see a wood full of bluebells. Growing up in the Kent countryside, I have special memories of this brief annual spectacle. - Gary Hume
Activities
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Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Goudhurst
It was established as the National Conifer Collection in 1925 and is now recognised as the most complete collection of conifers on one site anywhere in the world. The collection has over 10,000 trees growing across 320 acres, including rare, endangered and historically important specimens.Read more
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Belmont House and Gardens, Kent, England
The beautiful Georgian house of Belmont, set in its own parkland amid the Kent countryside, is a completely unspoilt and distinctive example of the work of the architect Samuel Wyatt.
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Chiddingstone Castle, Kent, England
Chiddingstone Castle is a fascinating Historic House set in 35 acres of informal gardens with breathtaking views of the North Downs, large lawns for picnics, an intimate rose garden, woodland and a beautiful fishing lake.
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Goodnestone Park Gardens, Kent, England
Goodnestone Park Gardens is a peaceful and romantic garden with connections to Jane Austen who was a frequent visitor.
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Hever Castle, Kent, England
This 13th-century castle turned Tudor manor house was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife. It was restored by the American William Waldorf Astor, who lived there and filled the garden with classical and Renaissance sculptures.
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Hole Park, Rolvenden, Cranbrook, Kent, England
Often described as one of the best places to see bluebells in the country, Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden, Kent, is also renowned for its 16 acres of private gardens still owned by descendants of the man who planted it in the 1920’s.
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Leeds Castle, Kent, England
Leeds Castle is in the heart of Kent, about five miles away from Maidstone and easily reached by train from London as well as by car from the Eurotunnel and Port of Dover. It describes itself as the “loveliest castle in the world”.
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Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden, Kent, England
Lullingstone Castle is one of England's oldest family estates, dating back to the time of Domesday.
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Mount Ephraim Gardens, Kent, England
Take a hop back in time to the Edwardian era (1901-1910) at Mount Ephraim Gardens near Faversham. Known as the ‘Garden of England’ for its many fruit growing gardens, it is fitting that the county of Kent is home to this peaceful spot, stretching out around Ephraim’s National Heritage List for England Grade II listed manor house.
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Quex House and Park, Kent, England
The Powell-Cotton Museum with over 500 cultural artefacts, stuffed and mounted animals, and mementoes of the family's expeditions and travels is as fascinating as it is bizarre. Throw in the beautiful house heaving with other treasures and 15 acres of gardens to get a few fascinating hours of real distraction.
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Restoration House, Medway, Kent, England
This Elizabethan house was so named because Charles II stayed here on the eve of his restoration in May 1660 as it was the only crossing of the Medway between Dover and London.
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Riverhill House and Himalayan Gardens, Sevenoaks, Kent, England
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, near Sevenoaks, Kent is bravely contemporary, yet steeped in history.
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Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells
Country house, romantic garden, 14th century moated castle - all in a beautiful wooded estate
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Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Biddenden, Kent, England
Historic, poetic, iconic; a refuge dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a world renowned garden.
