Seven wonders of the Weald: glorious places to visit in Kent | Kent holidays

Sissinghurst

Kent is house to among the England’s most well-known gardens, notably Sissinghurst, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson within the Thirties. Laid out as a collection of “rooms”, it has develop into an icon of backyard design, with totally different sections unfolding across the Sixteenth-century citadel. Stroll via the rose backyard, admire the white backyard and climb the tower for a hen’s-eye view, earlier than dipping into the exhibition on Sackville-West’s life and work. Afterwards, verify into the Milk Home on the excessive road, a captivating former teaching inn with 4 bedrooms and a welcoming bar and restaurant.
Doubles from £90 B&B; themilkhouse.co.uk

Bewl Water

The biggest reservoir within the south-east, Bewl Water is surrounded by 800 acres of parkland, latticed with 12.5 miles of biking and strolling trails, starting from mild, pushchair-friendly strolls to extra taxing hikes. In hotter months, the Aqua Park gives a splash-tastic hour of enjoyable, involving slipping, sliding and scrambling over inflatables (wetsuits and buoyancy aids included) and there are stand-up paddleboards accessible, in addition to a TriSwim centre providing wild-swimming classes. Younger children will love the well-equipped journey play space, and the Waterfront Café is a improbable place through which to take a breather with tea and cake and wonderful views throughout the water. Alternatively, head to the White Hart in Wadhurst, which has gained an AA rosette for its elegantly introduced dishes of hand-picked crab and South Downs pork fillet and domestically sourced steaks.
thewhitehartwadhurst.com

Pashley Manor Gardens

An idyllic instance of a basic English nation backyard, Pashley is a family-owned backyard open from 1 April to 30 September, with 11 acres of spectacular herbaceous borders, pristine lawns, rose walks, a kitchen backyard and a Grade I-listed, wisteria-swathed home as backdrop. In April, the Tulip Competition sees nearly 50,000 tulips in bloom throughout the beds, whereas Rose Week, often in June, and Dahlia Days in late summer season supply the prospect to witness the gardens at their spectacular greatest. Alongside the shrubs and flowers, the backyard is dotted with sculptural works, most items on the market, with an exhibition of botanical work within the Backyard Room café and present store. Afterwards, settle in for lunch (or the evening) on the charmingly quirky Bell in Ticehurst, a former teaching inn relationship again to 1560, with a superb restaurant and 11 rooms and lodges that ooze rustic stylish.
Doubles from £135 B&B, thebellinn ticehurst.com; pashley manorgardens.com​

Scotney Fortress

Dreamily picturesque, the spotlight of the Scotney property is the 14th-century ruined citadel, surrounded by a moat, that kinds the centrepiece of the spectacular gardens. As fastidiously designed as Sissinghurst, Scotney combines walled and quarry gardens with hidden walkways, a wooded glade and a heather-thatched icehouse, with the Victorian mansion additionally open to guests, providing an enchanting perception into country-house life within the mid to late nineteenth century. Past the gardens, the property sprawls throughout 780 acres of parklands, criss-crossed with strolling trails; an amazing place to carry the canine – or kids that have to run off steam, with among the trails designed to be buggy-friendly. Cease for lunch, or tea and cake on the Coach Home, and dip into the second-hand bookshop or well-stocked plant retailer.
nationaltrust.org.uk

Bedgebury Pinetum

A improbable place for a household day trip, Bedgebury Pinetum is house to one of many world’s biggest collections of pines and conifers, with greater than 12,000 bushes set throughout the rolling Kent panorama, latticed with strolling, biking and mountain biking trails that provide one thing for all ranges and ages. Children will love the prospect to find the Gruffalo and buddies hidden among the many bushes, and there may be an outside play path for youthful kids, alongside a Go Ape course. There are bikes to rent and an on-site café providing a full vary of home made desserts and hearty lunches; alternatively, drop by the historic Star and Eagle in close by Goudhurst, an atmospheric 14th-century pub serving hearty British basic dishes, which has 10 cosy bedrooms.
Doubles from £140 B&B, starandeaglehotel.com; forestryengland.uk/bedgebury.

Biddenden Winery

The oldest industrial winery in Kent, Biddenden has been producing glowing and nonetheless wines because the early Nineteen Seventies, lengthy earlier than English wine was trendy, alongside cider and pressed apple and pear juices. A tour of the winery is a good way to achieve an perception into the method of winemaking, and the on-site store gives a variety of bottles to remove. Evaluate vintages with a cease off at close by Chapel Down Winery (chapeldown.com), which produces its personal spirits alongside nonetheless and glowing wines. Spherical off the day with supper on the Bull (thebullatbenenden.co.uk) within the close by village of Benenden. This cosy, historic pub, initially constructed as a non-public residence in 1608, options inglenook fireplaces and carved beams and is furnished with antiques and low lighting.
biddendenvineyards.com

Hartley Farm Store

Hartley’s is a fifth-generation farm within the small village of Winsley, providing produce from their very own and surrounding farms, alongside a present store and café. The grass-fed meats, free-range poultry and natural greens come straight from the farm, whereas bread, desserts, pies and pasties are made within the farm’s bakery. Settle in for lunch on the buzzy Barn Café, the place the wood-fired oven delivers crispy pizzas, or decide up artisan gelato from The Cabin, with tables set within the flower backyard. Children can run off steam on the play space, and meet the farm’s pet geese, rabbits and chickens, and on Friday evenings there’s stay music.
hartley-farm.co.uk.