As the cold winter days begin to thaw away, spring blooms are cropping up to make their long-awaited appearances. Gardens, fields, and forests alike are beginning to flicker with hints of the new season, and we couldn’t be more excited. As yellows, pinks, purples, and blues emerge from the soil, we too are emerging from our own hibernation to delight in warmer days, blue skies, and sunshine. Here’s or pick of the places to go to celebrate the coming of spring in the county...
Hever Castle
Those spring-time snaps will look oh-so-wonderful as you wander through the glorious Gardens of Hever Castle, stopping to capture the beauty of their renowned blooms. The penultimate week of March will see the wonder of 80,000 daffodil bulbs full of life, painting the stunning grounds in unmissably vibrant hues of yellow and green. And the beauty continues in April in their fortnight-long “Celebration of Spring 2024” – spring lovers, mark those diaries!
hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on
Penshurst Place
Looking for marvelous displays of Kent’s stunning outdoors? Look no further, Penshurst Place is proof enough. Get a taste of the exquisite 40-acres of gardens in their family friendly event, “Spring into Life!”, where games, trails, and fun await. Witness the beauty of the season in the gardens and, once indoors, ponder the mixture of marvellous paintings, tapestries and fancy furniture that line the former dwelling of the Sidney family.
penshurstplace.com
Canterbury Cathedral
Gardens with more than just beautiful flowers, inside the walls of Canterbury Cathedral you’ll find history within the soil and stories in the air. After wandering the corridors of the oldest cathedral in England, you’ll be led outwards into picturesque gardens, sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the city to give you an exclusive look into life in the Cathedral over the years.
canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/explore-discover/cathedral-grounds
Leeds Castle
Dazzling any time of year, we must admit there’s something extra special about the grounds of Leeds Castle come springtime. Delve into the world of new life on your visit, soaking up the sights of sun-drenched Lady Baillie Mediterranean Garden Terraces or the fragrant Culpeper Gardens. Whether they’re enjoyed on a tour or at your own leisurely pace, the stunning colours will be sure to wow the whole group.
leeds-castle.com/experience/garden-discovery
Scotney Castle
Glorious medieval castle, Victorian country mansion backdrop, 780 acres of open parkland and ancient woodland. Stepping into Scotney Castle and its gardens feels like you’re in a storybook, the magical grandeur of its history truly breathtaking. Blurring the lines between tame and wild, the expansive grounds of this National Trust site are the perfect spot for a day out with family and friends.
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
Kent Wildlife Trust
Across the county, the outdoors is looking blooming wonderful and, luckily for us, Kent Wildlife Trust has got some spots up their sleeve to prove it. Put some spring in your step as you head outdoors and explore the land right under your nose – with over 90 reserves and nature spots, including ancient woodland, stunning lakes, and panoramic view-filled hills, you can find a day out this season wherever you may be.
kentwildlifetrust.org.uk
Godinton House and Gardens
Immerse yourself in 14th century life as you take the day to explore Godinton House and Gardens. While the beautifully preserved country house sits tall and grand against the backdrop of clear blue skies on a spring day, your eye can’t help but wander closer to the ground, where twelve acres of tranquil gardens lay surrounded by ancient parkland. Walled, rose, Italian, and wild gardens await, outlined by herbaceous borders with the bonus of a lily pond – now that’s what we had in mind for our afternoon spring walk.
godintonhouse.co.uk
Emmetts Garden
Fancy a panoramic look at Kent in the springtime? We know just the place to go. Stood atop one of the highest spots in the region, National Trust’s Emmetts Garden offers a breathtaking snapshot of the county’s landscape. And, turning your attention in, you won’t be disappointed as the Edwardian estate boasts beautiful flora year-round.
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/emmetts-garden
Belmont House and Gardens
Enjoy the impeccable work of architect Samuel Wyatt with a visit to Belmont House and Gardens. With one of the largest personal clock collections in the county, you can keep an eye on the time and be sure to check out the wonderful gardens while visiting. Bask in the range of traditional and modern style gardens, abundant with fantastic fruits and floral displays.
belmont-house.org
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens
Set near Sevenoaks, the Riverhill Himalayan Gardens are best known for their blanket of bluebells in the woodland in early spring and array of vivid rhododendrons and delicate azaleas in late spring. With magnificent sweeping views and rare ancient trees, plus a Bluebell Festival towards the end of April, you won’t be short on springtime fun.
riverhillgardens.co.uk
Great Comp Garden
Sevenoaks might be one of the most picturesque spots to visit this time of year, so if you haven’t had the chance to visit the Great Comp Garden, you’re in for a treat. Seven acres of rare plants can be found here, with ornamental grasses, a myriad of colour, beautiful borders found in the garden, and the welcome of tea and cake in the Old Dairy Tearooms.
greatcompgarden.co.uk/
Goodnestone Park
14 acres of glorious grounds at Goodnestone Park Gardens are bound to offer plenty of springtime bloom spotting. Head along for the day and discover these peaceful gardens in a guided tour by knowledgeable staff, step through doors of the 18th century house, and find out all about Goodnestone’s links to renowned author Jane Austen.
goodnestonepark.co.uk/
