DISCOVERKENT
KENT ’ S PRETTIEST VILLAGES CONT .
SISSINGHURST CASTLE LEEDSCASTLE
Another village that can thank the ancient art of weaving for its architectural beauty is Sissinghurst . A long village lined with old-fashioned white-painted weatherboard houses , Sissinghurst has a feel of architectural unity and is therefore immensely satisfying to the eye . Many of the larger houses were built by prosperous weavers , a reminder and testament to the wealth that weaving created in the area . Sissinghurst is most famous for the lovely gardens which were the creation of the writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson . Purchased by the pair in 1930 , Sissinghurst Castle ( www . nationaltrust . org . uk / sissinghurst-castle-garden ) was previously a prison and Victorian workhouse but was since transformed by the loving hands and creative flair of this miraculous couple . A true testament to their imaginative and artistic spirit , Sissinghurst Castle Gardens are a real wonder for both gardeners and appreciators of visual beauty . Much of the garden is laid out in Elizabethan style with each section set out as a ‘ room ’. Heralded as a ‘ moonlit masterpiece ’ the White Garden is planted entirely with only the colours of white , green , grey and silver , resulting in a ‘ pale garden ’ that is one of the most marvelled at areas of Sissinghurst .
The village of Leeds stands on the grounds of a former abbey , which therefore has an enthralling collection of ancient features and buildings , such as oast houses , a Norman church and surrounding farms which were all once part of the abbey ’ s entirety . The feature that dominates the village , is of course the iconic Leeds Castle ( www . leeds-castle . com ) also known as ‘ the loveliest castle in the world ’ which stands on two islands in the middle of the River Len . This peaceful moat is the home to the beautiful descendant waterbirds of those brought here by the Great Gatsby-esque figure of Lady Baillie during the roaring 1920s and ‘ 30s . The castle itself has 10 romantic turrets that add to its fairytale identity , one which Henry VIII revelled in , using it as his stately country residence . Echoing his love for this venue is the luxuriously designed Battel Hall ( www . battelhall . leeds-castle . com ) which can now be rented for staycations , coming complete with comfortable drawing rooms , an oak-panelled dining room seating up to 14 people , five exquisite bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and cosy open fires .
A village that , like Leeds , preserves a true sense of history is the quintessential Eynsford . With a number of timber-framed houses that nestle cosily under the shadow of the parish church ' s tall shingled steeple , picture-postcard Eynsford is also home to some wonderful places to dine . The Plough Inn ( www . theploughinneynsford . co . uk ) serves up a delicious selection of top-notch food , prepared using the freshest , locally sourced ingredients by expert chefs .
After a mouthwatering meal , wander along the banks of the Darent to appreciate the real charm of this village , and admire the pretty ford after which Eynsford is named . Visit the remarkable Lullingstone Roman Villa ( www . englishheritage . org . uk / visit / places / lullingstone-roman-villa ) with its spectacular mosaics , rare wall paintings , a heated bath-suite and ‘ house-church ’ that date back to the second century .
Another lovely village which lies along the Darent , is Brasted , a place which almost reflects the miniature nature of the river it sits next to . Presented through a snug , cosy appearance , lying at Brasted ’ s heart is a well-kept , compact village green , which is shaded by a row of delightful Tudor period cottages . Adding to Brasted ’ s quintessential village tableau is a charmingly Kentish outlet that explorers are sure to be bewitched by - The Teashop ( www . theteashopbrasted . co . uk ). Enjoy a cup of strong coffee or indulge in an afternoon tea with fresh homemade scones and cakes that are baked daily , while watching peaceful village life go by .
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