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21 Best Stately Homes and Gardens

20 February 2009

The Heart of Kent tourism partnership, who are celebrating their 21st anniversary this year, are launching a new campaign "Kent's 21 Best Stately Homes and Gardens" to celebrate the beauty and heritage found in the county of Kent.

For the past 21 years the Heart of Kent tourism partnership has been raising the profile of Kent and promoting it as a holiday and short break destination as well as somewhere to enjoy a day out. The partnership are constantly keeping Kent in the spot light for tourists by promoting its many attractions; and with over 21 stately homes and gardens their new campaign highlights the well known as well as the lesser known gems found in the Heart of Kent countryside.

Leeds Castle has been a former home to Royalty for over 100 years and is filled with culture and history. The beautiful gardens are full of colour and fragrance whilst the grounds are home to wildlife from Black Swans in the duckery to exotic birds such as toucans in the famous aviary. The Castle has a range of play equipment and a challenging maze as well as many exhibitions such as the dog collar museum. The Castle hosts a range of events throughout the year including an amazing fireworks spectacular. Cafe and shop.

Riverhill House & Gardens on a stunning hillside location has far reaching views over Kent's countryside and is open in spring and early summer only. There are quaint sheltered terraces in the garden where visitors can admire the many plants and flowers such as the vibrant Japanese maples and rhododendrons that adorn the garden throughout the year. Groups can view the ancestral home, circa 1714, which provides a stunning backdrop to the gardens. Tearoom Open from 22 March -28 June 2009 Sundays and bank holiday Mondays.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is an intimate and private garden divided into separate hedged rooms, creating the white garden, rose garden, cottage garden and nuttery set in the grounds of an Elizabethan Mansion. The gardens are home to a wonderful variety of beautiful plants and flowers such as sweet smelling wisteria. The Mansion was once home to Vita Sackville-West and visitors can tour her study and library in the charming Elizabethan tower which also offers stunning views across the Weald. Restaurant, coffee shop, shop, and garden shop. New this year the Vegetable garden open May - September between 12-4pm.

Godinton House & Gardens in Ashford comprises 12 acres of beautiful gardens including a rose garden, wild garden, Italian garden, walled garden and kitchen garden as well as an informal lily pond with bubbling spring. Godinton is best known for its collection of beautiful delphiniums and Japanese Wisteria. The house, lived in by the same family for generations, displays a different form of interior design in every room and has a variety of historical artefacts on display dating back centuries.

Historic Chiddingstone Castle in Edenbridge is set in 35 acres of stunning grounds with a lake and pretty wooden bridge ideal for fishing and picnicking. Once home to the late Denys Bowers the Castle now displays his intriguing Egyptian, Buddhist, Japanese, Jacobean and Stuart collections which include some wonderful curiosities from Japanese ceremonial armour and swords to a mummified cat and a 12 foot stuffed crocodile! Tearoom and shop. New for 2009 are 15 special event days for families.

Great Dixter House & Gardens in Northiam has gardens which surround a Manor house that remains in almost the same state since a period of restoration in 1911. The garden is comprised of varying planting themes and displays an assortment of rich colour. There is an abundance of plants and flowers encircling the house and unique touches found amongst them include a pebble mosaic of the owner's two dachshunds. Shop and nursery.

Scotney Castle Garden & Estate is home to one of the most romantic gardens in England. The gardens are designed around the 14th century ruins and over the year visitors can enjoy beautiful floral displays from vibrant rhododendrons to sweet smelling roses. The Elizabethan country house has select rooms open to visitors. New for 2009 is a tearoom.

Penshurst Place has one of the oldest gardens still in private ownership and comprises a range of gardens with an abundance of flowers and plants offering enchanting blooms through the spring and summer. The flag garden and the peonies will particularly delight garden visitors as will the magnolia and Italian garden. The mediaeval manor house retains its natural design and visitors can explore a wealth of history in the many rooms including the toy museum. Tearoom, shop and extensive outdoor play equipment.

Finchcocks Musical Museum is the ideal day out for music lovers as the grade II listed manor house is home to a wonderful collection of over 100 period keyboards including pianos, harpsichords and organs and visitors can enjoy listening to informal recitals/demonstrations whenever the house is open.

The formal gardens also provide a delightful place for visitors to enjoy a peaceful stroll. Finchcocks hosts a wide range of events throughout the year including a unique summer festival in June and July, which attracts musicians from across the country. There are also open days in August and a music festival in September.

Hever Castle, once home to Anne Boleyn, is renowned for its award winning gardens, containing many beautiful features from stunning statues to Anne Boleyn's walk lined with trees planted over 100 years ago. The gate house displays a collection of armour and some gruelling instruments of torture and discipline whilst the Castle has many delights from the stunning portraits to the two magnificent prayer books signed by Anne Boleyn. Visitors can take part in a range of activities including a water maze and enjoy events taking place over the year including jousting and falconry. Cafe, shop and play equipment.

Squerryes Court & Gardens in Westerham is a beautiful 17th century manor house which has been in the Warde family home since 1731and contains a collection of paintings, furniture and tapestries all acquired or commissioned by the family in the 18th century. The historic gardens include a lake, restored parterres and an 18th century dovecote.Spring bulbs, rhododendrons, roses, herbaceous borders, and woodland walks make it a garden for all seasons. Tearoom.

Tonbridge Castle is known for having the finest gatehouse in Britain where visitors can experience a vivid recreation of 13th century castle life and explore 9 centuries of history on one of the unique tours. The 14 acres of beautiful grounds provide a picturesque setting and visitors can explore the trail which winds around the mote and bailey site.

Chartwell was bought by Sir Winston Churchill for its stunning views over the Weald of Kent. The terraced hillside gardens encompass lakes which Churchill created, beautiful water features, Lady Churchill's rose garden and the golden rose avenue. The house remains in very much the same state as when Churchill lived there and exhibits paintings, maps, books, personal mementoes and an unrivalled collection of his paintings. Shop and restaurant.

Ightham Mote is a moated mediaeval manor house surrounded by beautiful gardens with water features and lovely lakeside and woodland walks. The house dates back to 1320 and has many unique features from the Grade I listed dog kennel to the Tudor chapel with its hand painted ceiling. Shop and restaurant.

Smallhythe Place, located in a beautiful rural setting, is the former home of Victorian actress Ellen Terry. The garden comprises a rose and orchard garden and nuttery as well as a thatched barn theatre which hosts regular performances of plays and exhibitions. The 16th century house displays Ellen's unique collection of theatrical costumes and personal mementoes. Café and shop.

Knole Park is a stunning property surrounded by the only remaining mediaeval deer park in Kent boasting an impressive 1,000 acres. The house has 13 staterooms laid out in beautiful 18th century style with many rare collections including some paintings by Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Reynolds. The gardens date back 500 years and contain many beautiful features from the summer house to the herbaceous borders. Shop and tearoom.

Wild animal park, Port Lympne, is set in 600 acres including a mansion and 15 acres of landscaped gardens. Residents of the park include Siberian and Indian tigers, African elephants, small cats and the largest breeding herd of black rhinos outside Africa. Visitors can also enjoy a Safari and the "Palace of the Apes" which houses a family group of gorillas. The gardens provide a picturesque setting whilst the mansion has stunning architectural features including mural rooms. Restaurant and gift shop.

Quebec House, the childhood home of General Wolfe, has many stunning features of historical and architectural interest. The grade I listed gabled house displays a rare collection of Georgian memorabilia whilst the coach house has a fascinating exhibition of the battle of Quebec. The beautiful garden is open to visitors and there are many family activities.

Lullingstone Castle is not only one of the oldest family estates in England but is also home to the famous "World Garden of Plants" created by intrepid plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke. The garden contains rare plants collected from around the world, planted in their countries of origin creating the shape of the world map. The garden has many beautiful exotic blooms including the first Eucalyptus silver princess to flower in this country. Overlooking a beautiful 15 acre lake is the stunning mansion, built in 1497, which can be viewed by visitors. Nursery. Light refreshments available at weekends.

The ruins of Bayham Old Abbey are on the Kent and Sussex border and comprise much of the 13th and 15th century church, chapter house and a14th century gate house. The ruins lie in the picturesque grounds, designed by landscape gardener Humphry Repton. The "Georgian Gothick" dower house has rooms open to visitors, whilst the shop provides souvenirs and snacks. Picnics are welcome in the grounds.

Stoneacre is a 15th century Yeoman's house with many beautiful features such as the great hall and crown post. The half timbered house is surrounded by harmonious gardens that offer planting delights throughout the year.

The Heart of Kent's website www.visitheartofkent.com and the new guide makes planning a stay in Kent easy with details of accredited accommodation from pretty B&Bs to historic hotels and luxury accommodation with leisure facilities. There are also details of events being held round the county and a helpful list of suggested itineraries to make a stay in Kent memorable.