COUNTRY : DAYS OUT
Ightham Mote , Ivy Hatch nr Sevenoaks Picture-perfect , 14th-century timber-framed manor house , on its own little island surrounded by water . Take in the lakes , ancient bluebell woodland and the scented garden as well as the house dating back nearly 700 years . www . nationaltrust . org . uk / ightham-mote
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
Danson House , Bexley 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
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
Chartwell , Westerham 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
Betteshanger Park , Betteshanger nr Deal 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
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
Ripleys is an independent family-run garden centre located just outside the beautiful village of Bethersden , Kent where the family have been located for over 40 years .
Quality outdoor & indoor plants • garden accessories • gifts • candles • greetings cards pet food , toys & accessories • bird feed • free parking • dog friendly • onsite restaurant
Opening Times : Mon-Sat : 9am-5.30pm Sun : 10am-4pm
Ripley ' s Garden Centre , Ashford Road ( A28 ), Bethersden TN26 3LF 01233 820526
ripleysgardencentre @ hotmail . com www . ripleysgc . co . uk
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