Kent Staycation 2020 | Page 61

COUNTRY: DAYS OUT Chartwell, Westerham Goodnestone Park Gardens, nr Canterbury Exquisite privately owned stately home, once the residence of Jane Austen in the 19th century and the producer of Downtown Abbey in the 21st! Set amongst one of only three Kentish gardens to be featured in the Good Gardens Guide. www.goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk A country house estate and much-loved former residence of Sir Winston Churchill. Now part of the National Trust collection, take in the house, stroll around the gardens and lake, or stop for a cream tea. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell Bettshanger Park, Bettshanger nr Deal Danson House, Bexley 250 acres of parkland packed with activities from cycling, fossiling, archery and geocaching, to walks and and wildlife exploration – perfect for little adventurers. www.betteshanger-park.co.uk Beautiful Grade I listed Palladian villa, designed by Sir Robert Taylor (the architect of the Bank of England) and built by Sir John Boyd in 1766. After a decade of restoration it was reopened by HM Queen Elizabeth in 2005. www.bexley.gov.uk/services/visitor-attractions/ danson-house Tyland Barn Visitor Centre and Nature Park, Sandling Restored 17th-century barn boasting a large wildlife and conservation exhibition as well as being the headquarters of the Kent Wildlife Trust. Throughout the year it is home to bees, tadpoles and nesting birds. www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk Groombridge Place, Groombridge A 17th-century moated manor house offering the perfect place for a relaxing stroll around the award-winning gardens and enchanted forest of its 200-acre site. www.groombridgeplace.com 61