England | Kent Garden Tour
An ancient corner of this land, a story of invader and visitor, the story of England. Invaded by the Celts, Romans, Saxons and Normans, and threatened by the Spanish, French and Germans - and they've all left their mark. Happily, Kent is now only invaded - ever so nicely - by the visitor.
Known traditionally as the 'Garden of England' - after centuries of feeding the capital's population - much of Kent's former importance has been lost to global trade and the ever-increasing ease with which we ship 'fresh' produce. But Kent does retain a rich source of excellent gardens, especially historic gardens, and its these gardens that we're going to take you to.
| Duration: | 6 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW510 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | 19 Jul 2012 |
| Price: | $2,180 |
| Single Supplement: | $320 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
Solo travellers will enjoy this tour because they will be in the company of like minded people who share an interest in beautiful gardens. If you are happy to share a room we will endeavour to accommodate you with someone of the same gender. Otherwise, be assured that the single supplement cost has not been marked up - we are only passing on the additional costs charged by hotels for occupying a single room.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 12 max.
Day 1 | Thursday, 19 July
Our first garden is Great Comp - an imaginatively planted garden, created by the late Eric and Joy Cameron since 1957. Great Comp is also the home of specialist Salvia nurseryman, William Dyson, and has the benefit too of having a rather nice café for lunch. An all-round excellent start to the tour!
Late-afternoon we depart Great Comp for the hour's drive to Heron Cottage - the comfortable home and B&B of our host, Susan Twort, and our home for the next few days.
After settling-in and exploring Susan's garden, we'll have time to sit down with a glass of wine and a few maps, and chat about the week to come, before a delicious, home-cooked dinner.
Day 2 | Friday, 20 July
We start the day with a private guided visit to Rock Farm - the two-acre cottage garden of plantswoman Sue Corfe. Sue will take you on an interesting and amusing tour of her wonderful garden - just don't mention the rabbits!
We leave Rock Farm at around noon and drive into nearby Rochester - an historic city with many sights and attractions to see, and after some free time exploring these treasures, we'll meet at the splendid Restoration House for a private introduction to the house and garden.
Restoration House is so named because this is where the young King Charles II stayed overnight, on his way to London to restore the monarchy.
Rochester is home to England's second oldest cathedral (after Canterbury), an impressive Norman castle, guarding the route to London, and enjoys an historic connection with Charles Dickens - who lived in Rochester and set some of his fiction in and around its cobbled streets.
Late in the afternoon we'll drive into the Kent countryside - stopping for refreshments in the medieval village Chilham and photographs at the Devil's Kneading Trough - before a memorable dinner at the Timber Batts in Bodsham.
Day 3 | Saturday, 21 July
Having headed north-east yesterday, we're heading west and south-west, today, and first to Groombridge Place. The formal walled garden is mid 17th century, and the twelve drum-shaped Yews were planted in 1674.
After lunch at Groombridge we venture south to spend the mid part of the afternoon at Great Dixter - the home and garden of the late Christopher Lloyd, his life's work and one of Britain's most iconic and inspirational gardens.
Late-afternoon we leave Dixter for the nearby cobbled streets of medieval Rye - for a drink at the Mermaid Inn, rebuilt in 1420, and dinner at the excellent Fish Café.
Day 4 | Sunday, 22 July
We start Sunday on the east coast of Kent, at Walmer Castle and Gardens - one of a string of Tudor coastal fortifications, designed and built to deter the Spanish Armada. Walmer Castle became the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and for this reason, there is a garden attached to this magnificent 16th century fort.
After lunch at Walmer we venture north for a brief visit to Richborough Roman Fort - one of the earliest and most important Roman sites in Britain.
And from Richborough we drive inland, to spend the rest of the afternoon at Goodnestone Park - a glorious garden which, when at its very best, is one of the most beautiful gardens we visit. And when they're playing village cricket at the front of the house, it is quite heavenly!
It has literary pretensions too, as the one-time home of Edward Austen, brother of the rather more famous writer, Jane.
We return home to Heron Cottage to relax a while, before another of Susan's delicious home-cooked dinners.
Day 5 | Monday, 23 July
We spend the day fairly close to home, starting with a morning visit to the home and garden of artist, Lindel Williams, at Marle Place - a garden developed over the past 100 years or so, nestling deep in the Kentish countryside and surrounded by old orchards and ancient woodland.
For lunch we'll visit Merriments - an excellent local nursery and garden centre, with the added delights of a wonderful display garden and a very good café too!
And finally, our visit to Sissinghurst Castle - for many of you the highlight of this tour, and for some of you, the reason you are here. You will have the rest of the day in these world-famous gardens - to the very end, when most of the crowds have left.
Dinner is around the corner at the Three Chimneys, one of our favourite pubs and recent winner of the Best Dining Pub in Kent award.
Day 6 | Tuesday, 24 July
Our final visit is to Hever Castle. Built in 1270, the castle passed to the Bullen family in the early 1500s and is famously the childhood home of Anne Boleyn.
Rather more recently in 1903, the wealthy American financier, William Waldorf Astor, bought Hever to be his English home, and it is he who lavished his wealth on it, restoring the castle and laying out the gardens we see today.
We visit the castle, its gardens and extensive grounds, and have lunch at Hever, before the tour ends.
ACCOMMODATION
Heron Cottage
Heron Cottage provides a place to unwind, listen to the birdsong and take life slowly, set in six acres of ground and surrounded by the unspoilt Kent countryside, Heron Cottage is located between the historic village of Biddenden and Sissinghurst Castle.
Inside, the newly completed rooms in the guest wing combine modern convenience with traditional character. Outside, the beautifully maintained garden and grounds are for you to enjoy at your leisure.
At Heron Cottage, home cooking is traditional with the emphasis on fresh and local produce.
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation
- Full English breakfast and dinner each day
- Entrance to all gardens and other attractions listed in the itinerary
- Transport as detailed in the itinerary
- Services of an escort/guide
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
