Local Attractions in around Kent Tunbridge Wells

Some of the country's best examples of castles, stately homes and gardens - both great and small are to be found in the Tunbridge Wells area. There are more places to visit in Kent, castles and gardens open to the public concentrated in the Kent area than any other in the UK.

Many places to visit in Kent and the Kent area have connections with famous people - such as Sir Winston Churchill, Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, Marc Chagall and Vita Sackville-West - or are just famous in their own right, such as Sissinghurst Castle Gardens and Leeds Castle.

Other places to visit are less well-known but just as fascinating and beautiful. A selection of places to visit in Kent, see and experience are featured here, along with all the details needed to plan a visit or day out. To make things even easier for the visitor, a series of one and two day itineraries with particular themes incorporating many of the featured places to visit in Kent has been put together. Click here for further details.

The distinctive landscape of the High Weald, an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, with its rolling hills, sunken lanes and captivating villages makes for one of the finest stretches of countryside in England and provides the setting for a series of unique places to visit.

The Seven Wonders of the Weald – Bayham Old Abbey, Bedgebury National Pinetum, Bewl Water, Lamberhurst Vineyard, Marle Place Gardens, Scotney Castle Garden and Finchcocks – are all within 10 minutes drive of one another and just 8 miles east of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Find out more about places to visit in Kent at the Seven Wonders of the Weald website here. Spring is just around the corner and many gardens are already starting to bloom with colour and re-open their doors to visitors. What better time to get out and enjoy a few days in the countryside?

The doors of Hever Castle are open once again on 1st March. The gardens are awash with golden daffodils at this time of the year with a special Spring Garden Week, including tours with the Head Gardener, running from 20th to 26th March.

Pick up some tips from the warden of Sissinghurst Castle Garden on two special Walks with the Warden on 24th April and 2nd May, or enjoy Sissinghurst on a day when it is normally closed to visitors on 17th May at a special Iris Afternoon which includes a talk given by the Head Gardener. Pre-booking is required for both these events. Sissinghurst re-opens for the season on 18th March. Feast your eyes on the largest display of tulips in the South East at the annual Tulip Festival held at Pashley Manor Gardens from 25th April to 4th May with over 14,000 bulbs in bloom. Stock up for your own garden later on in the month at Pashley Manor's Spring Plant Fair on 14th May. The Bluebell Walk will be at its best from the end of April until mid-May. Pashley opens for the season on 4th April. Learn something of the wild flora of Kent on a Spring Nature Walk with the curator at Bedgebury National Pinetum on 23rd April. Pre-booking is essential. Bedgebury is open daily, throughout the year. The annual Spring Garden Fair & Flower Festival at Finchcocks, near Goudhurst takes place on 28th & 29th May. Take the opportunity to see this unique museum of keyboard instruments as well as explore the beautiful gardens.

For further details on these gardens and more, download a copy of the Garden Lovers' Guide to Royal Tunbridge Wells or order you free copy from the Tourist Information Centre. As well as details of gardens to visit in the area, the Guide contains a calendar of where and when to see what plant collections and details of accommodation in the area of particular appeal to garden lovers.

Local Attractions in around Kent - Tunbridge Wells