Penshurst Place & Gardens – 27 miles
Described as ‘the grandest and most perfectly preserved example of a fortified manor house in all England’, the Sidney family home has been the place for poetic inspiration and lavish Royal hospitality for over 650 years.
The house exhibits a marvellous mix of paintings, tapestries and furniture from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries with a unique medieval Baron’s Hall and decadent staterooms.
The jewel in its crown is 11 acres of Elizabethan walled gardens; divided by a mile of yew hedges into ‘rooms’ each garden is planted to give a succession of colour as the seasons change.
There is fun for all the family with events, activities and Workshops throughout the season, a Toy Museum, an Adventure Playground and Woodland Trail, a Maze made of Maize in the summer holidays, and superb Garden Restaurant. The wonderful Gift Shop and Porcupine Pantry Café are open daily all year.
Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 8DG (t) 01892 870307.
