POTMANS HEATH HOUSE
BALMORAL COTTAGE KNOLL FARM
A magical garden full of whimsy , charm and stunning topiary can be found at Balmoral Cottage near Cranbrook . The garden is adorned with peacocks , whirling spirals , spheres and shaped tiers , all sculpted out of yew and box . It is the creation of an artistic plantswoman over the last 33 years , where the beautiful and extensive topiary forms the backbone for romantic spring and summer borders .
Balmoral Cottage Benenden , Cranbrook , TN17 4DL NGS Spring open days : Sunday 24 April & Sunday 15 May , 12pm - 5pm Refreshments : Refreshments available at nearby Hole Park ( separate additional price ) Admission : Adult : £ 6 , Child : £ 2.50 .
The 6-acre garden at Bilting House opens in April and May for the NGS and has a woodland walk with bluebells and spring bulbs , while tulips and other spring flowering plants abound elsewhere in the garden . You ’ ll find a wide variety of rhododendrons , azaleas and ornamental shrubs here , along with a mature arboretum , a rose garden as well as herbaceous borders . The garden is set in a beautiful part of Stour Valley and even boasts a ha-ha .
Bilting House Nr . Ashford , TN25 4HA NGS Spring open weekends : 23 & 24 April , 21 & 22 May , 1.30pm - 5.30pm Refreshments : Homemade teas . Admission : Adult : £ 7 , Child : Free . Dog friendly .
Potmans Heath House is a large country garden divided into compartments , each with a different style . In spring , there are tulips galore as well as many blossoming ornamental cherry and apple trees in the orchards . There is also a part-walled vegetable garden with two greenhouses . The garden is surrounded by fields , hedgerows and the Wittersham Levels and has been designed to blend into a pleasing continuum and to encourage bird life and natural woodland .
Potmans Heath House Wittersham , TN30 7PU NGS April open day : Sunday 24 April , 2pm -6pm Refreshments : Homemade teas . Admission : Adult : £ 5 , Child : Free . Dog friendly .
Linton Park ’ s hillside garden overlooks the Weald of Kent and is set in 450 acres of parkland . Spring bulbs , elegant tulips and beautiful tree blossom can be found in the 27-acre garden that surrounds the house . Re-imagined over the last 35 years , using original J C Loudon plans and historic maps , the garden boasts wonderful mature tree specimens of , amongst others , copper beech , cedars , limes and oaks crowned by a magnificent avenue of Wellingtonia planted in the mid 19th century . The head gardener will be at hand on the NGS open day , and teas will be served on the south terrace where you can enjoy the views .
Linton Park Heath Road , Linton , Maidstone , ME17 4AB NGS April open day : Sunday 3 April , 10.30am - 4pm Refreshments : Homemade teas served on the south terrace . Admission : Adult : £ 8.50 , Child : Free .
Bishopscourt is the residence of the Bishop of Rochester and the mature 1-acre historic walled garden lies within the heart of Rochester . In spring there is a wonderful show of tulips and other spring plants , as well as a magnificent magnolia flowering by the house . The garden has mature trees , lawns , yew hedges , mixed herbaceous borders as well as a small vegetable garden and greenhouse .
Bishopscourt 24 St Margaret ’ s Street , Rochester , ME1 1TS NGS April open day : Saturday 30 April , 11am - 2pm Refreshments : Homemade teas . Admission : Adult : £ 5 , Child : Free . Dog friendly .
The 10 acres of woodland garden at Knoll Farm houses a beautiful bluebell wood that is speckled with primroses , rising up behind the main garden . Here you ’ ll also find an impressive collection of over 100 camellias . A flock of Jacob Sheep are kept around the lake and the garden boasts fabulous long views across Romney Marsh .
The Knoll Farm Giggers Green Road , Aldington , Ashford , TN25 7BY NGS open day : Saturday 23 April , 12pm - 5pm Refreshments : Picnics welcome by the lake . Admission : Adult : £ 8 , Child : Free . Dog friendly .
A full list of Kent spring gardens to visit in April and more information about these and other spring gardens can be found on the NGS website : www . ngs . org . uk .
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