Gardens of Kent
Fascinating gardens in the 'Garden of England'
Dates & Prices
July 2024
£1115 per person
Deposit £180
Accommodation
Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel (4*)
Including bed & breakfast and four evening meals
Group Size
Between 6 and 12 people
What’s included
Tickets and entrance to all houses and gardens.
We stay close to the delightful town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and visit some of the most fascinating houses and gardens of Kent including Penshurst Place, Great Comp, Hever Castle and Sissinghurst. We also visit the marvellous garden at Great Dixter.
Day 1
Guests arrive at the hotel during the afternoon. The hotel offers modern comfort and relaxing facilities. A drinks reception is followed by dinner in the hotel.
Day 2
The day begins with a visit to the gardens at Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Here we spend the morning in the Italian Garden with its Pompeiian Wall, the Tudor Garden, the English Rose Garden and the renowned Loggia with its stunning view over the lake. In the afternoon we move on to Penshurst Place, a medieval manor house with impressive formal gardens.
We return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 3
The day begins with a visit to Down House, the onetime home Charles Darwin, with a guided tour of the garden. Next, we move to Ightham Mote and tour the gardens around its 14th century moated manor house. The afternoon ends at Great Comp, a remarkable garden paradise with plenty to enjoy.
We return to the hotel for time to relax before dinner.
Day 4
Today we visit Sissinghurst, the commodious garden lovingly developed by Vita Sackville West and Harold Nicolson. In the afternoon we visit Great Dixter, home of the famous gardening writer, Christopher Lloyd. The gardens are famous for their topiary, mixed borders, orchard and wild-flower meadow.
Dinner follows at the hotel.
Day 5
Our tour ends after a leisurely breakfast.
The Mercure Hotel is set in spacious grounds and includes a health spa.