Why not visit...
BEDGEBURY NATIONAL PINETUM
Bedgebury, near Goudhurst in the High Weald of Kent, has the world's largest collection of temperate conifers on one site in the world. With over 7,000 conifers this world famous collection provides visitors with the perfect place to enjoy a gentle walk, play a game of hide and seek or have a family picnic. The Pinetum is a haven of tranquillity and peace set in beautiful parkland with lakes, streams and rolling hills. For special family and children's events please check their web-site for more details.
Open 365 days per year, Opening Times March - October 10.00 am - 5.00 pm, November - March. 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. Gates close 5.00 pm. Goudhurst Kent Tel: 01580 211044
www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk
or www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury
Why not visit...
ARUNDEL CASTLE 'forever making history'
Towering above the historic town of Arundel, this great Norman medieval fortification
founded in 1067 makes Arundel Castle one of the longest inhabited country
houses in England. Situated in magnificent grounds overlooking the river Arun
with nearly 1,000 years of history, makes this Castle a must see day out for
all the family. With an action packed events programme including, Life with
Nelson's Navy, Living History Days, Jousting, Falconry, and classic car rallies.
For special family events please check their web-site for more details.
Open from late March until the end of October. Arundel Castle is closed on
Saturdays, except Bank Holidays. Arundel, West Sussex Tel: 01903 882173
www.arundelcastle.org
Why not visit...
MARLE PLACE GARDENS & GALLERY
Marle Place in Brenchley is one of Kent's most beautiful and enchanting gardens.
The gardens have been designed by artist and owner Lindel Williams as a series
of colourful garden rooms with arches, hedgerows and an array of interesting
garden features and sculptures. Marle's events programme offers tutored art
courses throughout the season with Mud Sticks & Stones, Art in the Garden,
South East Open Studios and a Sculpture Show make Marle Place an unusual and
fascinating place to visit.
Open 10am to 5.00pm - Friday, Saturday and Monday or by appointment. Last
admission 5 pm or by special arrangement outside these times. Open late March
to early October. Brenchley Tonbridge Kent Tel: 01892 722304
www.marleplace.co.uk
Why not visit...
HOLE PARK HOUSE GARDENS
Hole Park is a peaceful garden full of great beauty and tranquillity. It was created in the 1920's and has a wonderful mix of formal and wild gardens. This is a garden for all seasons with far reaching views over beautiful parkland. The extensive Yew Hedges, fine trees, broad lawns and old walls provide the perfect background for a large variety of plants. Visitors in April and May can enjoy the beautiful woodland walk with its spectacular bluebell vista.
Open on Sundays from late March to early July inclusive, between 2pm and
6pm and Bank Holiday Monday's. Refreshments are available on Sundays and charity
open days. Hole Park, Rolvenden, Cranbrook kent Tel: 01580 241344/241386
www.holepark.com
Why not visit
THE DALI UNIVERSE
3000 square metre permanent exhibition of the works of Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali.
County Hall, Riverside Buildings, London
Rail and tube: Waterloo (Northern & Jubilee Lines)
Why not visit...
BUCKLEYS, YESTERDAY'S WORLD
Fun for all the family at Buckley's World, where one can discover a magical story of shops and social history as your senses are enchanted by evocative sights, sounds and smells. All the colours and flavours of yesterday are recreated and brought to life in over 30 authentic rooms and shop settings housed in a charming medieval house.
Buckley's Yesterday's World, High Street, Battle, East Sussex
Why not visit...
HANNAH PESCHAR SCULPTURE GARDEN
Water Garden by Anthony Paul with big plants which frame and enhance collections of contemporary British sculpture for sale.
Black and White Cottage, Standon Lane, Ockley RH5 5QR
01306 627269
Why not visit...
SAVIL GARDEN, WINDSOR GREAT PARK
World renowned woodland garden with adjoining rose gardens and herbaceous borders. Visit the gift shop, plant centre and restaurant. Beauty at all seasons.
Wick Lane, Englefield Green, Egham
01753 847518
Why not visit...
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Henry VIII's majestic home has something for everyone with costumed guides, family trails, riverside gardens and the world famous maze.
Surrey KT8 9AU
020 8781 9500
Why not visit...
DRUSILLAS PARK
One of the best small zoos in the country, with over 60 animal attractions, an adventure playground and free train rides.
Alfriston, East Sussex
01323 870234
Why not visit...
MICHELHAM PRIORY
A historic property dating back to 1229 and boasting England's longest water-filled moat. Attractions include extensive gardens with a sculpture trail, working watermill and working forge, replica Iron Age roundhouse, rope house, Elizabethan Great Barn and exhibits of furniture and artefacts from throughout the Priory's 800-year history. There is a gift shop, picnic area and self-service restaurant.
Open Tues - Sun, and Bank Holiday Mondays, 1 March to 31 October, 10.30am - 5.30pm
Upper Dicker, Hailsham - 01323 844224
Why not visit...
THE PRIEST HOUSE
This 15 th century house nestles in a traditional cottage garden on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. The house is noted for its dramatic roof of Horsham stone. There is also a domestic museum, and the formal herb garden contains over 150 varieties.
Open Tues - Sun, and Bank Holiday Mondays, 1 March to 31 October, 10.30am - 5.30pm
West Hoathly, between East Grinstead and Haywards Heath - 01342 810479
Why not visit...
BOWLES OUTDOOR CENTRE
Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9LW
Tel (01892) 665665
www.bowles.ac
Call for details regarding courses and practice sessions.
Why not visit...
SOFT ROCK CLIMBING
Dower House Mews, Leyswood, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 9PH
Tel (01892) 863659
www.softrockclimbing.co.uk
Call for price and admission details.
Why not visit...
LONDON ZOO
Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
Tel (020) 7722 3333
www.londonzoo.co.uk
Open 1000-1630
Why not visit...
THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND RARE BREEDS CENTRE
Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent TN26 3RJ
Tel (01233) 861493
www.rarebreeds.org.uk
Open 1030-1630 Tuesday-Sunday 1 Oct-31 Mar, 1030-1730 daily 1 Apr-30 Sept
Why not visit...
THE HOP FARM COUNTRY PARK
Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6PY
Tel (01622) 872068
www.thehopfarm.co.uk
Open 1000-1700 daily
Why not visit...
LONDON DUNGEON
28-34 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2SZ
Tel (020) 7403 7221
www.thedungeons.com
Open daily 1 Jan-22 Mar 1030-1700 (last admission)
Why not visit...
TOWER OF LONDON
Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4AB
Tel (0870) 756 7070
www.hrp.org.uk
Call for opening hours
Why not visit...
MADAME TUSSAUDS
Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LR
Tel (0870) 400 3000
www.madame-tussauds.com
Open Mon-Fri, 1000-1730, Sat, Sun, 0930-1730
Why not visit...
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU
Tel (0870) 752 7777
www.hrp.org.uk
Open 27 Oct- 29 Mar Mon1015-1630, Tues-Sun 0930-1630 30 Mar-26 Oct Mon1015-1800, Tues-Sun 0930-1800
Why not visit...
KENSINGTON PALACE STATE APARTMENTS
Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX
Tel (0870) 751 5170
www.hrp.org.uk
Open 1 Nov-28 Feb 1000-1700, 1 Mar-31 Oct 1000-1800
Why not visit...
LEEDS CASTLE
Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL
Tel 01622 765400
www.leeds-castle.com
Open daily, Nov-Mar 1000-1500 (last admission), Apr-Oct 1000-1700 (last admission)
Why not visit...
CHISLEHURST CAVES
Old Hill, Chislehurst Kent BR7 5NB
Tel 020 8467 3264
Open daily, 10am-4pm
Why not visit...
GODINTON HOUSE AND GARDENS
The magnificent park and gardens at Godinton House and Gardens near Ashford
in Kent delight visitors in summer. In June, visitors can see the remarkable
border of colourful delphiniums, which grow in the walled garden, which is
the perfect setting for these magnificent tall and stately flowers.
Through the 1900s the gardens were softened and enhanced by further
plantings of the Italianate, walled and wildflower gardens and
topiary-terraces. The wide gravel paths give easy access to wheelchair users
over most of the gardens.
The beautifully restored gardens include a rose garden, which fills the air
with a heavenly scent throughout the summer. The herbaceous borders were
replanted in 1997 and are dominated by the soft blues and pinks of nepeta,
perovskia, lavender, penstomen and bordered by box and yew topiary.
The famous yew hedge is thought to be the longest in the country and
encloses the 12 acres of garden that surround the house.
Godinton House is also open to the public and is one of the most important
and fascinating Jacobean houses in Kent.
Children accompanying adults have free entry and will be enchanted by the
little maze and garden swing.
Refreshment and homemade cakes are available on house opening days (Friday
to Sunday) and fresh cream teas can be ordered in advance. Refreshments can
be organised at other times for group bookings.
Godinton House and Gardens are just a few minutes’ drive from Junction
9 off
the M20 or a short drive from Tenterden.
The Gardens are open Thursday to Monday, 2pm-5.30pm from end of March to end
of October. The House is open Friday to Sunday, 2pm-5.30pm from early April
to early October. (Last tour of the house leaves at 4.30pm.)
Admission: gardens only; adults £3, children FREE; house and gardens;
adults
£6, Children FREE.
