Kent - Garden of England - Places to Visit in the UK
History of Kent
It is well documented that Kent once had a link by land with northern Europe. This is shown by prehistoric archaeological remains found in the county. Compared to the rest of the country, the county of Kent was populated by settlers much earlier than in other areas and has the oldest recorded place name in the UK. The immortal words “I came I saw I conquered” were spoken by Julius Caesar on landing in 55 BC. The county was divided to the east as “Men of Kent” with Canterbury the centre for administration. To the west as “Kentish Men” with Maidstone as the main town. Now the two are governed as one with the county town being Maidstone. Having some of the most beautiful and oldest gardens, Kent is universally known as the “Garden of England”. With many open to the public, over 180, the choice is vast and each has something to marvel at the wonders of horticulture and the love of the land.
Apple trees and hops
Where to go and what to see is an exciting challenge to all who visit. The white cliffs of Dover, the gateway to Europe and the first glimpse of the shores of England arriving by air or sea, are dramatic and the backdrop for seaside resorts busy with visitors from around the world and others enjoying the sea air on a day trip. Henry VIII’s gardener planted the first cherry and apple trees in Kent, the rich soil and temperate climate providing the perfect conditions for English vineyards, the growing of hops, orchards and wooded valleys.
Castles and gardens
The fashionable spa town established in the late 1600’s is Royal Tunbridge Wells and was popular with Royalty and members of the aristocracy. Penshurst House and Gardens has been an ancestral home since 1550 and the state rooms are filled with porcelain, tapestries and portraits and the 11 acres of gardens are breathtaking in a formal design. Romance is a visit to Scotney Gardens and the ruins of the Castle dating back to the 14th century. In Spring a carpet of snowdrops is followed by the primroses and daffodils and the heady perfume of flowering bluebells. Famous for the rhododendrons and azaleas in Summer and the anticipation of Autumn with the golden Japanese maple trees.
Hever Castle has been the home of several wives of Henry VIII and in the early 1900’s William Waldorf Astor invested money and time into restoring the castle and gardens. Today the castle is quite homely despite the collection of suits of armour and swords, and ancient instruments of torture. The gardens are home to Roman statues, a rose garden and a maze in the Tudor garden. Groombridge Place has the atmosphere of a child’s story book with the Secret Garden, Peacock Walk, Knot Garden, the Enchanted Forest and Tree Fern Valley. Groombridge is definitely a “must see” with special events and canal boat rides and displays by birds of prey. The hop growing for beer has provided one of the landmarks in Kent being the Oast House where the hops are dried and the Wealden Hall Houses which belonged to the Cloth Manufactures and Ironmasters provide the other.