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Garden Owners,
Please copy this information and paste it into an email to:   wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com

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Regards,
Armchair Travel Co Ltd
http://www.armchair-travel.com
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Garden Name: Groombridge Place
Last Modified: 24/01/2011
Garden ID: 0336

pic: 0336_groombridge.jpg

Owner: Jocelyn Kennard
Address:
Groombridge
Tunbridge Wells

Postcode: TN3 9QG
County: Kent

tel: 01892 861444
fax: 01892-863996
website: www.groombridge.co.uk
email: office {at} groombridge.co.uk

Features: 
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.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
2nd -3rd Apr (Mothering Sun); 
26th Mar - 5th Nov; every day; 10am - 5.30pm (or dusk if earlier).

Best Times of Year to Visit: 


To see: 


National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: For groups of 12 or more if pre-booked.

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
(2010 Prices) Adults £8.95; Child (3-12) £7.45; Over 60s £7.45; Family (2A + 2C) £29.95; Season tickets available.
Canal Boat cost £1pp. Prices are subject to a 50p per person increase on special event days.
Groups: Adults £7.25; Over 60s £6.25; Over 60s -Peak (July & Aug) £5.50; Child (3-12) £5.50
Guided tours (pre-booked) for 12 or more people take one hour @£30

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:



Designer: John Evelyn
Description of Garden:
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.


History: 
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.

Local Inns: 
Hare, Langton Green
Sussex Oak, Blackham
Dorset Arms, Withyham

Accomodation: 
Danehurst House, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells

Restaurants: 
The Tagore, Tunbridge Wells

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Royal Tunbridge Wells