Historic Gardens

Bishopscourt, Rochester

Picture of Bishopscourt Bishopscourt has been the residence of the bishop of Rochester since 1921. It is located on St Margaret’s St about 250 m south of Rochester Cathedral. The house (listed grade ll) was probably built c1500 and some of the listed boundary walls of patterned brick and flint are probably C16 or C17. The house and garden occupy a plot of 0.4 ha. The garden has a large central lawn dominated by two large trees with planting around the outer edge. OS maps show the boundaries and structure of the main garden have not changed since 1870. The lawn slopes gently down to a hedge of yew trees, dividing this upper garden from a lower section. In one corner of the lower garden there is a store with steps up to its flat roof enabling it to be used as a lookout with excellent views over the river Medway and Rochester Castle.

Chartwell, near Westerham

Picture of Chartwell Chartwell was the family home of Winston Churchill and is now preserved by the National Trust. Churchill developed the garden and small parkland from the 1920s onwards, and lived there until his death in 1965. The hillside gardens reflect Churchill's love of the landscape and nature. They include the lakes he created, the brick walls he built, Lady Churchill's rose garden, and a kitchen garden.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell

Chevening, Sevenoaks

Picture of Chevening Chevening has one of the great gardens of Kent (listed Grade 1). The gardens were first laid out by the Earl of Stanhope between 1690 and 1720 in the French formal style, but in the 1770s a more informal English style was introduced. In the 19thC lawns, parterres and a maze were established and many specimen trees planted which are now at their mature best. A cascade, modelled on a 1718 predecessor, was added to commemorate 250 years of the Stanhope family’s stewardship of the 3000 acre estate. The 7th Earl gifted Chevening to the state in 1959 since when it has become customarily used as the country residence of the Foreign Secretary.

www.chevening.org