Gardens-Guide.com is the premiere open gardens directory in Britain today.
Open every day throughout the year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and
New Year's Day. Summer opening 10am - 5.30pm (or dusk if earlier). Winter
10am to 4.30pm last admission 3pm in winter (please note the birds of prey
displays do not take place in the winter months)
For groups of 12 or more if pre-booked.
Admission: Off Peak: Adults £8.95, Senior Citizens £7.45, Children (3-12
years) £7.45, Family Tickets (2 Adults + 2 Children) £29.95
Peak: Adults £9.95, Senior Citizens £8.45, Children (3-12 years) £8.45,
Family Tickets (2 Adults + 2 Children) £33.95 (peak prices apply in school
holidays and on special event days). Season tickets available. Canal boat
£Adults £1.50 children £1
Enchanted Forest - voted Visitor Attraction of the Year. Birds of Prey displays twice a day and features the Raptor Centre. Canal Boat cruise to and from the Enchanted Forest Spa Valley Railway steam train stop is 10 minutes walk from the gardens.
Danehurst House, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells
The Tagore, Tunbridge Wells
Hare, Langton Green
Sussex Oak, Blackham
Dorset Arms, Withyham
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Groombridge is known as a beautiful, peaceful garden retaining a sense of history, romance and intrigue whilst providing an exciting modern landscaping of ancient woodland for the Enchanted Forest, designed to appeal to young and old alike. The gardens are laid out on a south-facing slope with a backdrop of a medieval moat and surrounding a classical Restoration manor house. They are designed as rooms and include the lovely White Rose Garden with over 20 varieties of white roses and the Secret Garden with deep shade and cooling waters in a tiny hidden corner. Visitors will also be fascinated by the Oriental Garden with its Paradise Walk, the Knot Garden and Nut Walk and not least the Drunken Garden with its crazy topiary. Planting is designed to offer colour and interest from Spring to Autumn.
In complete contrast on a high hillside above the walled gardens and estate vineyard is the Enchanted Forest, designed by Ivan Hicks to challenge the imagination. Children love the Dark Walk, Tree Fern Valley, Village of the Groms, Serpent's Lair and Mystic Pool. There are also the Romany Camp, Double Spiral and Giants' Swing Walk.
Originally laid out in 1694 with help from John Evelyn, the diarist and horticulturist, the gardens have survived almost intact with the 12 pairs of drum yews - The Twelve Apostles - believed to be original.