A grand collection
The South East of England boasts more castles, gardens and stately homes than any other region in the UK. Indeed the county of Kent, as well as being known as the Garden of England, is also said be the county with the most fine historic houses, stately homes and castles - many of which also have beautiful gardens!
In this section is a sample of some of these historic properties across the South East that are well geared up for group visits. Although the traditional season for visiting these venues is the summer, groups will find that many of the gardens are equally worth visiting in the early spring or autumn, and are often less busy than during the main season. Similarly, you will find that many of the venues mentioned will open outside normal hours for a group booking.
Glorious gardens across the region
The plenthora of grand historic houses and friendly climate of the South East makes it a paradise for groups that want to visit gardens. Painshill Park, near Cobham in Surrey, is one of the 18th century's great landscape parks. Originally laid out by Charles Hamilton between 1738 and 1773, the restoration of the gardens is nearing completion to once again become the series of landscapes to enrich and delight all who visit. As was popular at the time, Hamilton created a series of follies, amongst which the Gothic Tower, Chinese Bridge and the Ruined Abbey have all been restored. A tour of the follies is just one of the those available for pre-booked groups.
Also in Surrey, the Walled Garden at Loseley Park and Gardens is based on a design by Gertrude Jekyll with a series of rooms, each with a different theme. Groups can see the Rose Graden, planted with over a thousand rose bushes; the four sections of the Herb Garden -culinary, decorative, household and medicinal; the Flower Garden; the serene White Garden; and the organic Vegetable Garden, which is also home to Loseley's collection of Heritage Seed plants. Groups can pre-book a tour of the gardens, and can also take a 45 minute tour of some of the rooms in the fine 16th century house, which is still occupied as a family home.
Another significant garden in the county is the flagship RHS Garden at Wisley. As well as the the richly planted borders, rose gardens and glasshouses, many groups visit to see the model gardens and trials where new cultivation techniques and planting schemes are trialled. Audio tours are available to get more from a visit and groups can also pre-book a guide who aims to give an informative and entertaining garden tour giving an insight into the history of the garden as well as its seasonal highlights.
Focus on Sussex and Kent
There are great many gardens for groups to visit in Sussex and Kent, of which the following are a selection. Starting in Sussex, St. Mary's House and Garden near Steyning is a lived-in Medieval house set in five acres of gardens. Here groups can explore the Topiary, Terrace Garden, and the Secret Garden which features former heated pineapple pits. On guided tours, more of the gardens can be seen and pre-booked groups can also visit in the evening.
Originally also a garden to a country house, Demans Garden near Fontwell, unlike other gardens, focusses on foliage, form and texture more than flower colour. The garden is laid out in many small sections which give ideas and inspiration for visitors own gardens. Guided tours are available for groups. A little further east, the Elizabethan Gardens and Grounds of Herstmonceux Castle make an interesting contrast. The grounds surround the moated 15th century castle, which although not open to the public, is available for pre-booked guided tours. A walk around the grounds will afford fine views of the castle as well as lily covered lakes and the opportunity to see walled gardens, Rhododendron Gardens, the Rose Garden and the Herb Garden.
Pashley Manor Gardens, near Wadhurst, reflects many eras of English history with a blend of fountains, springs and large ponds set amongst romantic landscaping and imaginative plantings.
The Grade l listed timber-framed house at the heart of the garden is still a family home and not open to the public. Groups can pre-book guided tours of the Garden.
In Kent, there are also a wide range of gardens to choose from. Set in the heart of Kent, near Sevenoaks, Emmetts Garden is particularly noted for its spring flowers and shrubs, and autumn colours. Now in the care of the National Trust, this informal hillside garden features many rare and exotic trees and shrubs and was featured in 1985 film Room with a View. Groups can pre-book an on-coach welcome and introductory talk and out of hours openings are also available. Nearby Knole is another National Trust property that offers an on-board welcome for groups arriving by coach. Guided tours of the garden are available at certain times.
The gardens date back 500 years, however much of the present 24 acre walled garden was laid out under the ownership of Henry VIII in the 16th century. The garden is set in a 1,000 acre deer park, the only medieval deer park in the county and a site of special scientific interest. Knole is best known as the birthplace of novelist and poet Vita Sackville-West. The house contains portraits by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Van Dyke as well as rare furniture and 17th century tapestries. Special interest guided tours of the house are available for pre-booked groups.
Also in the heart of Kent, Groombridge Place Gardens and Enchanted Forest was seen by very few until the gardens were opened to the public in 1994. Originally laid out as rooms in the 17th century, extensive planting also took place in the 18th and 19th centuries. The latest additions include the Knot Garden with its wicker figures and collection of black tulips, the abundantly planted Peacock Walk and White Rose garden planted with a with a variety of white flowering plants as well as roses. Another relatively recent addition is the Enchanted Forest, where real creatures such as giant rabbits, that will grow to 60cm high, and a zeedonk (a zebra donkey cross), are to be found alongside the Groms, all set in a fantasy world of trees, swingsand pools. Groups can pre-book a one hour guided tour of the formal gardens.
A collection of castles and houses
Staying in Kent, and equally well-known for its garden, is Hever Castle and Gardens, near Edenbridge. The moated Castle dates back the 13th century, and is probably best known as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Most of the gardens on view today, however, were laid out in the early 20th century, including the lake at the end of the Italian Garden. Other highlights include the Cascade Rockery, grottos, the Tudor Garden, and the walled Rose Garden, which contains 3,000 plants. Within the furnished castle are artefacts linked with Anne Boleyn, and a collection of swords and armour has been recently added to the collections of historic instruments of execution and torture. Morning guided tours of the castle are available for prebooked groups before it opens and can be tailored to the interest of the group. Likewise, garden tours can also be pre-booked.
Nearby Penshurst Place also offers groups guided tours of the house before public opening which can be combined with, or be organised separately to, tours of the garden. The house has been lived in by the same family since 1552 and much of it can be visited. At the heart is the 60 foot high Baron's Hall, considered to be the best preserved example of 14th century domestic architecture in England, whilst other features such as the Long Gallery, were added later in 1601. The State Rooms contain fine collections of furniture, portraits, porcelain and tapestries.
Further east, Leeds Castle enjoys a spectacular setting on an island in a lake, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland. Inside the Castle are furnishings and decorations respresenting many of its former occupants, including Henry VIII. In the grounds, attractions include the Aviary, Duckery, Culpeper Garden and the maze with its underground grotto and exit. Private guided tours of the Castle are available for pre-booked groups.
On the Kent coast are a cluster of three castles, all now in the care of English Heritage. The largest is Dover Castle, now becoming increasingly popular for its key role in the Second World War. Groups can discover for themselves the Secret Wartime Tunnels where 700 military personnel worked in secret around the clock beneath the castle. The Castle itself features one of the earliest Norman Keeps, built in 1066, the full history of which is told in a dramatic sound and light presentation.
Just down the coast, Deal Castle is the earliest and most elaborate of Henry Vlll's rose forts built along the south coast, as is neighbouring Walmer Castle, which is now known more for its garden and display of the original pair of Wellington boots!
