Historic Gardens

Knole, Sevenoaks

The magnificent Knole house, built more than 600 years ago as an archbishops' palace and gifted to Henry VIII, is now in the care of the National Trust. It is surrounded by Kent's finest Tudor deer park, a forerunner of the great English 18th century landscape park. It has been described as ‘neither sublime nor picturesque. It is, however, especially in the distant view, authentic, looking almost exactly as it did in the year Thomas Sackville died (1608)’. In the 21st century, the present Lord Sackville regularly opens his ever-changing private gardens for the public to enjoy.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole

Leeds Castle, Maidstone

Picture of Leeds Castle The beautiful 13th century, moated castle is surrounded by 345 acres of parkland and woodland. The park is of medieval origin and was landscaped in the 18th century and significantly replanted in the early 19th century. The castle was restored in the 1920s and 1930s and a series of gardens including a working fruit and vegetable garden created around it. In 1980, the landscape architect Russell Page (1906-85) designed the Culpeper Garden, which is laid out in a pattern of geometric, box-edged beds abundantly planted with a mixture of English cottage garden and exotic plants.

www.leeds-castle.com

Marle Place, Brenchley

Picture of Marle Place Marle Place house is set within 10 acres of privately-owned, peaceful gardens, first created in 1890 and surrounded by woodland and orchards. Over the last 100 years, the gardens have evolved to include a series of enclosed terraced gardens, tree-lined avenues, rills and ornamental ponds. In spring, there is an abundance of blossom and bulbs which are later replaced in summer by scented, old-fashioned roses and exuberant borders. In autumn the trees provide a dazzling display of colour. Historical features of the garden also include a Victorian gazebo, an Edwardian rockery and an Italianate walled garden. The Victorian greenhouse has now been restored and houses a splendid orchid collection.

www.marleplace.co.uk