13 Botanical Gardens to Explore in Kent

Godinton is a remarkable country house, nestled in the heart of Kent. Dating back to the 14th century. It has a Rose Garden, an Italian and Walled Garden, Delphinium borders, a Wild Garden and Ponds. The gardens include one of the longest Yew hedges in England, as well as having spectacular displays of delphiniums, irises, wild flowers and roses.

A beautiful country park, standing on the site of the old Maidstone Zoo, the park features a themed play area, along with a sculpture trail, plenty of space for picnics, and a cafe. It has since been planted with over 600 different species of trees and shrubs. An array of exotic plants can be found in the Arboretum, or Parkland Garden, which lies on the eastern side of the park.

Dunorlan Park was originally a 78-acre landscape garden of a grand mansion built by the Yorkshire-born merchant Henry ReedIt was a special place where everyone can enjoy a richly varied Victorian garden, meadows, and wildlife, as well as the amenities of a modern park. There’s plenty to do besides admire the grounds, however – the park has a putting green, an events field, and a welcoming cafe, and, in the summer, boating takes place on the lake. There are also so many things to see and do here.

A beautiful and romantic garden with connections to Jane Austen. It has been described by various writers as 'the very heart of rural England', 'one of the loveliest gardens in Kent', 'a haven of beautiful tranquility hidden away in South East England. Today the park has a well managed Arts and Crafts garden echoing something of the original layout. There is a formal pool, a fine herbaceous border and a woodland garden.

This is one of the best known gardens in Kent, a worthy winner of Visit Kent's Garden of the Year award in 2016. It contains fine yew hedges, large lawns with specimen trees, walled gardens, pools and mixed borders combined with bulbs, rhododendrons and azaleas. The massed bluebells in the woodland walk make spring an especially good time to visit.

Lullingstone Castle is one of England’s oldest family estates, dating back to the time of Domesday. The World Garden combines plant heritage with cutting-edge horticulture. The design of the World Garden is a (roughly drawn) map of the world consisting of continent-shaped beds. Plant species from around the world are planted in the map according to their country of origin.

Mount Ephraim Gardens is an Edwardian terraced garden located at Hernhill, near Faversham, in the English county of Kent. For over 300 years the Dawes family have lovingly cared for the country house and gardens and today they present one of the breathtaking spots in the southeast of England. Ten acres of classical gardens lie within an 800-acre farm with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The gardens are open to the public from April to September on Wednesdays to Sundays and Bank Ho

Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian estate located at Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks in Kent, UK. It is now owned by the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. The gardens were initially laid out between 1893 and 1895 under the influence of Lubbock's friend William Robinson in the fashionable Edwardian style popularised by Gertrude Jekyll. The shrub garden was added later in 1900-1908.

Smallhythe Place in Small Hythe, near Tenterden in Kent, is a half-timbered house built in the late 15th or early 16th century and since 1947 cared for by the National Trust. It has existed as a simple working farm, one of the most significant shipyards in medieval England, and later the home of distinguished Victorian actress, Dame Ellen Terry. The unique Barn Theatre radiates the spirit and history of Ellen's life. Discover this hidden gem in the Kent countryside.

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, near Sevenoaks, Kent is an i9conic attraction in this area. There are over 12 acres of historic gardens to explore, punctuated with contemporary sculpture, as well as woodland paths, breathtaking views and plenty of benches for quiet moments. Home to the Rogers family since 1840, these family-run gardens offer visitors space to explore, gardens to admire and excuses to celebrate.

Scotney Castle was built in c. 1378-80 by Roger Ashburnham. It was strategically sited where the road from Rye and Hastings crossed the valley of the Bewel. It is a fourteenth century moated castle with a garden that is a prime example of picturesque aesthetic ideas applied to garden design. The central feature is the ruins of a medieval, moated manor house, Scotney Old Castle, which is on an island on a small lake.

Sissinghurst Castle garden was created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson who transformed the ruins of this Elizabethan mansion and gardens in the 1930s. It is among the most famous gardens in England and is designated Grade I on Historic England's register of historic parks and gardens. The gardens contain an internationally respected plant collection, particularly the assemblage of old garden roses. The writer Anne Scott-James considered the roses at Sissinghurst to be "one of the fi

A small, attractive garden along the banks of the River Stour, at the west end of the old city walls of Canterbury. This beautifully landscaped Westgate Gardens will inspire visitors of all ages whether you are after a gentle stroll over a lunchtime or are escaping the hustle and bustle of city shopping. Enjoy the riverside walks from the medieval Westgate Towers located at the end of Canterbury city centre's bustling high street.