insideKENT Magazine Issue 85 - April 2019 | Page 52

GETAWAYS
K E N T ’ S GORGEOUS GARDENS
CONT.
HOLE PARK GARDENS
Hole Park Gardens, Rolvenden
www.holepark.com Chartwell, Westerham
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell
There are 15 magnificent acres of gardens at Hole Park. The
initial design was created by Colonel Barham who is the great
grandfather of the present owner. He did this during the two
World Wars, and made sur e to include a v ariety of plants
that would flower from January to October, giving as much
colour and jo y to the g arden (and to those enjo ying it) as
possible. The yew hedges are trimmed carefully, some into
topiary shapes, and they surround the more formal areas of
garden including the Italian garden. There are walled gardens
too, creating a tranquil, private air. But there are also more
wild places to see, where overflowing herbaceous borders and
statues stand together. Keep moving through the gardens and
you’ll come across natural ponds where it is easy to spend an
hour or so just admiring the view. Chartwell is perhaps most famous for being the home of Sir
Winston Churchill, but although the house is a w onderful
place to e xplore, the g ardens should certainly not be
overlooked. After all, the grounds were a major part of why
Churchill chose this spot f or his beloved home in the fir st
place. Explore the water features and wide expanses of lawn
and trees, as well as a stunning kitc hen garden too. This is
where you can see the famous wall that Churchill built himself,
and w here, thanks to the old diaries tha t w ere ke pt b y
Chartwell’s head g ardener of the time, as much has been
recreated for today’s visitors as possib le, giving the feel of
what it was once like. As a bonus, much of what is grown in
the kitchen garden is used is Chartwell’s visitors’ café to create
delicious dishes.
Scotney Castle Garden, Lamberhurst
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle
The gardens are Scotney Castle have often been described
as like something from a fairytale, or from a painting – they
are so picturesque and perfect tha t they hardly seem real.
However, this vista of rhododendrons and azaleas, roses, the
moat, the old castle and everything that goes with it is very
real indeed, and visitors are most welcome.
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