Plases to Visit and Things to do in the heart of Kent
These are just some of the places that you might like to visit in Kent and East Sussex and most, if not all, can be examined in greater detail on the South East England web site. We maintain a wide range of leaflets, guides and maps at The Old Stables.
London is only an hour away by train and families can enjoy discounted tickets into the centre of the capital. Headcorn and Pluckley stations are much nearer than Ashford from where it is now possible to take the “bullet train” to St Pancras, London (37 minutes)
The National Trust was founded in 1895 to preserve places of historic interest or natural beauty and is the leading conservation body in the UK. The National Trust has many such properties in Kent and East Sussex and we would encourage you to visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk where you will find details of special events, including musical and other cultural productions.
If you are planning to visit a number of National Trust properties you should consider a membership for discounted entrance charges. There is so much more to see and enjoy that is within reach of The Old Stables. Why not plan your visit in advance and you will find full details of opening times on the site and this is very important as so many of them are closed on one or more days of the week.
Houses & Gardens
Below are a selection of the best houses and gardens in the area.
Goodnestone
Location: Ashford
House and gardens set in extensive parkland.
Godinton House
Location: near Ashford
Fascinating house and gardens dating back to medieval times
Chartwell
near Westerham
Home, garden and studio of wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
Emmetts Garden
near Westerham
Exceptional views, good for bluebells and rhododendrons.
Ightham Mote
near Sevenoaks
650 years of enchanting history. Painted Tudor chapel. Moat with garden and woodland walks.
Knole
Sevenoaks
Built in 1456, this immense Tudor Mansion is one of the finest houses in England, and has been lived in by Royalty, Archbishops, Bishops and also Vita Sackville-West. The house is full of antiques and treasures, with an important portrait and 17th Century furniture collection.
Penshurst Place
near Tonbridge
Amongst the peaceful Tudor gardens and parkland of Penshurst Place sits a magnificent ancestral home. State rooms house fine collections of furniture, tapestries, portraits and armour. Toy museum and adventure playground.
Pashley Manor
Ticehurst
Enchanting house and extensive gardens.
Groombridge Place Gardens
near Royal Tunbridge Wells
Flanked by a mediaeval moat with 17th century Manor House, magnificent formal gardens, Enchanted Forest including secret and mysterious gardens.
Great Dixter
Northiam, near Tenterden
Built in 15th Century, then restored and added to by Sir Edwin Lutyens (the architect of New Delhi) Great Dixter is the family home and passion of garden writer and clematis expert, the late Christopher Lloyd.
Higham Park
near Canterbury
An outstanding 14th century house and gardens, lovingly restored by the current owners with whom you can enjoy a personalised tour. The gardens extend to 25 acres and include England's largest yew-lined, sunken Italian water garden.
Iden Croft
Staplehurst
Iden Croft Herb Gardens and Plant Nursery lies in the bowl of a prehistoric Wealden lake. Peaceful and sheltered it is a safe haven for birds, wildlife, butterflies and bees.
Yalding Organic Gardens
Yalding, near Maidstone
14 individual gardens offer a fascinating trip through gardening history dating back to mediaeval times. An Edwardian herbaceous border, 19th Century cottager's garden and a Tudor knot garden - all entirely organic!
Monk's House
Lewes, East Sussex
Charming weather boarded house, home of writer Virginia Woolf from 1919 to 1941. Visited by the famous Bloomsbury group of philosophers, writers and artists including Vita Sackville-West.
Castles
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Sissinghurst
One of the country's most famous gardens - created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson.
Leeds Castle
Leeds, near Maidstone
Loveliest and most romantic moated castle in the world. The garden, designed by Capability Brown, includes a maze. Charming woodland walks.
Scotney Castle Garden
Lamberhurst
Another of England's most romantic gardens created around a picturesque 14th Century moated Castle ruin. Dramatic views.
Hever Castle and Gardens
Edenbridge
Double moated castle and one time home of Anne Boleyn. Wonderful collection of furniture, paintings and objets d'art. Award winning gardens include Italian rose and Tudor gardens with maze and lake. Water maze in new area of garden.
Dover Castle
Dover
Experience dramatic sights, sounds and presentation of life during the siege of the Castle in 1216. Secret wartime tunnels, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment museum. Superb views of the famous White Cliffs.
Walmer Castle and Gardens
Walmer
The elegant Tudor residence of the Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports and was occupied, on occasions, by the late Queen Mother.
Deal Castle
Deal
Explore the long dark passages and battlements of Deal Castle, Henry VIII's powerful coastal fortress.
Museums
Canterbury Museums
Canterbury
Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustines and the Chaucer Experience. Canterbury Heritage Museum tells the story of the city. Also St. Martin's Church, one of the oldest in England.
Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery
Maidstone
Delightful Elizabethan manor house boasts a rich and impressive variety of historical objects, fine art and natural history.
Museum of Kent Life - Cobtree
Maidstone
Award winning open-air museum with collection of historic buildings housing both static and interactive exhibitions of life in Kent over the last 100 years. Hop, herb and kitchen gardens, livestock centre, venture playgrounds and riverboat service. Plenty to do inside and out.
Motor Museum
Rolvenden
Unique collection of Morgan 3 wheeled cars 1913-1935, Humber tri-car of 1904 and many other vehicles. Displays of toys and model cars.
Finchcocks - Living Museum of Music
Goudhurst
Well-known collection of historical keyboard instruments. 18th century Manor House with beautiful garden surrounded by lovely Kent countryside. Entertaining musical tours.
Other Places of Interest
Howletts Wild Animal Park
Bekesbourne, near Canterbury
World famous home to the largest captive gorilla-breeding group in the world. African Elephants, tigers and rare monkeys are just a few of the animals to be found enjoying the 70 acres of ancient parkland.
Port Lympne Animal Park
Lympne near Folkestone
Set in 300 acres of countryside with historical mansion and gardens. Gorillas, Asian elephants, Przewalski horses and Atlas lions are amongst the many animals to be found at Port Lympne.
South of England Rare Breeds Centre
Woodchurch, near Ashford
Fascinating and gentle attraction. Friendly farm animals and many to stroke in the childrens' barn. Large playground, paddling pool and sandpit. Woodland walks, picnics and restaurants.
Farming World
Faversham
A wonderland of animals where children can roam freely. Birds of prey centre, adventure playground, museum and farm trails. Picnics and refreshments and abundance of "pick your own" summer fruit.
Children and adults alike can enjoy the Steam Trains on the Kent and Sussex Railway on the smaller Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Alternatively, enjoy wildlife, bird sanctuaries or for the Jane Austen fan visit Goodnestone Park. There really is something for everybody.
The following Specialist Garden nurseries are in the area:
Madrona at Pluckley, Merriments at Hurst Green, Washfield at Hawkhurst, Just Roses at Northiam and of course the many varieties of clematis can be seen at Great Dixter also in Northiam. Brogdale Orchard - home to the National Fruit Collection at Faversham. Downderry Nursery in Plaxtol is home to one of the National Lavender Collections.