CHURCH MOUSE TEAROOMS
DAYSOUT RIVERHILL HIMALAYAN GARDENS also features the Serpentine Walk, a route which was famously enjoyed by the beloved novelist, Jane Austen.
Leeds Castle and Gardens, Maidstone leeds-castle. com
Leeds Castle is steeped in over 900 years of history where visitors can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Medieval and Tudor times by walking in the footsteps of strong and visionary women. Renovated in the 1930s by Lady Olive Baillie, Leeds Castle is now home to a wealth of historical gardens and architectural landscapes including Lady Baillie’ s Mediterranean Garden Terraces. Like that of a sun-drenched European country, the terraces are filled with colourful plants and succulents, with benches to rest and view the Great Water in the spring sunshine.
You’ ll find blooming magnolia in the Oriental Garden and azaleas in The Princess Alexandra Gardens, with The Culpeper Garden displaying stunning blooms, hedges and herbaceous beds- a favourite of local wildlife. For those who fall in love with Leeds Castle’ s seasonal gardens, there is a bookable Wildlife Hide Photography Experience with professional photographer, Andy Green. Including all-day access to their private wildlife hide and guidance on all aspects of photography and editing, those who book are sure to capture picture-perfect moments at Leeds Castle this spring.
CHURCH MOUSE TEAROOMS
CHILHAM
At the weekend, I went to a really fun place called Church Mouse Tearooms with my mum, dad and little sister Lydia.
Church Mouse Tearooms is in the countryside, in a village called Chilham. The buildings in Chilham looked old but I liked the design of them. When we got out of the car, we saw Chilham Castle in the distance.
We went inside the tearooms and saw cakes that looked very well made and lots of fancy looking ornaments. We met a kind man who was very nice to us and told us he was called Barry. He took us to our table and he even gave my little baby sister a small chair to sit in. The rooms were small but comfortable. I was very happy and excited to be there.
We sat down and Barry gave me and my sister special children’ s plates. He then gave us some menus which had drinks, sandwiches, breakfasts and afternoon tea. Obviously I chose hot chocolate, which had marshmallows and whipped cream on top, and we all chose afternoon tea to share. On the afternoon tea, there was cupcakes and other cakes, ham sandwiches and also egg and mayonnaise sandwiches, and on the top plate there was scones with raisins in them, which came with jam and cream.
When we finished, we ordered more because it was so good. We didn’ t finish our seconds because we were being greedy, so we asked if we could have a box to take the rest home in, which I’ m glad we did.
They gave me and my little sister a love-heart-shaped chocolate each because we were so well behaved. I really enjoyed going here so much that I would like to go again. The food was delicious and we loved it.
Lola Perseval, Aged 7 and a half.
LEEDS CASTLE www. insidekent. co. uk • 61