“May the flowers remind us why we needed the rain...”
If you’re missing visits to the glorious gardens from across our county that have earnt us the prestigious title of the “Garden of England”, fear not. While we may not be able to physically enjoy Kent’s fabulous floral displays and lovely landscapes this spring, lots of our green-fingered friends from all over the county have been coming up with ways to share their outdoor spaces with us virtually. So, settle down and get ready to spot all your favourite seasonal blooms, as we bring the Garden of England into your front room!
Blooming Green Flowers, Maidstone
There’s nothing like a fresh bunch of blooms to put a big smile on your face, and we’re loving taking a virtual visit to Blooming Green’s flower plot near Maidstone during lockdown. Why not order a box of flowers and foliage to brighten up your home, or even place an order and surprise a loved one with a floral gift? Chemical and plastic-free, as ever, Blooming Green Flowers are freshly picked right here in Kent the day before delivery. Blooming lovely!
Leeds Castle
With over 500 acres of beautiful gardens available across the Leeds Castle estate, give your feet a rest and relax at home as you enjoy a video tour of the ‘loveliest castle in the world’. Fly over the River Len, catch a glimpse of the Culpeper Garden, get lost in the marvellous maze, and admire the castle’s grand exterior from all its best angles (spoiler; it looks great from every angle…)
Historic Dockyard, Chatham
Okay we’ll admit that the words dockyard and garden don’t naturally go together, but we think you’re going to like discovering a little more about the Historic Dockyard, Chatham’s secret green spaces. As part of their National Gardening Week celebrations at the beginning of May, the Dockyard’s social distancing gardeners Warren and Baz shared some fascinating insider information about the work that goes into keeping this iconic Kent attraction looking so wonderful year-round!
Hole Park
Renowned for its spectacular display of bluebells and 16 acres of garden; welcome to Hole Park! For four generations, the Barham family have created this wonderful oasis in a magical parkland setting. Play a game of floral ‘eye spy’ as you enjoy a gentle spring stroll around the grounds courtesy of this lovely video created by Hole Park’s gardeners.
Monkton Nature Reserve
Make a (virtual) bee-line towards the Isle of Thanet’s coastline where you’ll find over 350 species of flowering plant, including eight species of rare orchid at Monkton Nature Reserve. If you’re missing being able to get out and about in nature right now, the reserve is posting a whole host of activities over on their Facebook to keep you engaged from home. Take part in one of their quizzes, try your hand at a wildlife wordsearch, or simply enjoy some stunning photos of this tranquil setting.
Riverhill Himilayan Gardens
The beautiful garden at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens has been privately owned by the Rogers family since 1840. Join owner Sarah Rogers for a leisurely walk through the gardens with their extensive views across the Weald of Kent, spectacular rhododendrons, azaleas and fine specimen trees. A chance to enjoy a private tour of this hillside landscape with its owner - now, how often will this opportunity strike?
Virtual Kent
Roses are red, violets are blue, it’s important you stay safe at home for a while, so we’ll be transporting our gardens to you! Cheesy rhyming aside, we’re very excited to launch our brand-new online campaign ‘Virtual Kent’, showcasing the very best of our county’s attractions and destinations. Bringing together a wide selection of online content, allow our Virtual Kent Gardens experience to transport you to outside spaces across the county. Whether you choose to wander around the formal lily pond at Godinton House, admire the carpet of bluebells at Penshurst Place, or even pick-up some top tips from Hever Castle’s Head Gardener, you’ll soon find yourself getting wonderfully lost in the Garden of England…
