We’ve been all about the outdoors in the April issue of Kent Life magazine...
...and if you’re still itching to explore gardens in the Garden of England, you won’t want to miss a new fund-raising initiative from fantastic Kent-based charity Hospices of Hope, which supports the development of palliative and end-of-life care across South and East Europe.
Its founder Graham Perolls will be inviting garden lovers to accompany him on a series of exclusive tours and talks at three unique West Kent gardens, with an opportunity to discuss both the historical and horticultural aspects of plants, shrubs and trees in each one, along with hands-on experts closely involved in their care.
The first visit is to 17th-century St Clere’s Estate, Kemsing on Thursday, April 25, where guests can join Graham and estate Foreman, Martin Platt, to learn about his 26 years working here. Additional showbiz fact: St Clere’s gardens were made famous as a location for many TV shows and films, including Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d, starring Elizabeth Taylor!
The second visit is to Reuthe’s – The Lost Garden of Sevenoaks on Thursday May 16 Here, guests can join Graham and Reuthe’s owner, Claire Price, in exploring the magical 11-acre rare-species woodland, home to one of the country’s best selection of specialist rhodendrons, azaleas and camellias.
Finally, there’ll be a visit to The World Garden, Lullingstone on Tuesday, June 18, where Graham and ‘modern-day plant hunter’, Lullingstone’s creator Tom Hart Dyke, will take guests for a round-the-world tour, with plenty of opportunities for questions.
Refreshments are offered on all tours, and tickets are £25 per person per garden visit, but you can also book all three tours at a discounted rate of £60 per person – book via hospicesofhope.co.uk.
