insideKENT Magazine Issue 85 - April 2019 | Page 50

GETAWAYS
K E N T ’ S GORGEOUS GARDENS
Doddington Place Gardens, Sittingbourne
www.doddingtonplacegardens.co.uk Godinton House, Ashford
www.godintonhouse.co.uk
English Heritage has r ecognised these stunning
gardens as being of historical importance, and once
you step foot into them you will understand why.
They cover 10 acres and include a notable woodland
garden which, in May and June especially, is a riot
of colour and life. There is also a formal sunken
garden complete with herbaceous borders, and a
flint and brick folly. The gardens at Godinton House span 12 impr essive acres. Within them,
you will find enormous oak trees and stately chestnuts, bringing to mind a
real haven of tranquillity. The gardens have been tended to for over four
hundred years, and the fashions of each era have been planted in the earth.
The landscape you can see today mainly links back to Reginald Blomfield’s
design from 1898. It includes a terraced lawn which is bordered by a vast
yew hedge which has been moder nised and softened b y the addition of
curving herbaceous borders.
DODDINGTON PLACE GARDENS
GODINTON
HOUSE
50
CONT.