Our cottage is the ideal base for your holiday with family and friends – four-legged friends included. So, here is our guide to some of the best spring and summer activities around Wadhurst Castle Cottage.

National Trust Gardens

A view over the Rose Garden towards the Jacobean house at Bateman’s, East Sussex, home of Rudyard Kipling from 1902 until 1936. Photo courtesy of the National Trust.

There are a host of stunning National Trust properties near Wadhurst Castle Cottage. Whether you are a National Trust regular or just looking for some traditional English country gardens, you will be spoilt for choice.

Sissinghurst is perhaps one of the best known gardens in the UK. Just 25 minutes from the cottage, Sissinghurst has a wide variety of gardens and plants. From the Nuttery, containing traditional Kentish Cobnuts, to the Herb Garden, and the orchard, Sissinghurst gardens is a must see for both the avid gardener and those looking for a leisurely day out.

Batemans is famed as being the home of Rudyard Kipling, but it’s also well known for Kipling’s love of roses. The rose garden was designed by Kipling himself as part of his desire for the gardens to be a place where his children’s imaginations could run wild, and as a place for the adults to relax and unwind. The gardens and landscape inspired his book ‘Puck of Pook’s Hill’.

These are just two of the National Trust highlights in the area, for more details and to find out what is going on at each property throughout the summer, visit their website here.

Outdoor Performances at Leeds Castle

Open air cinema at Leeds Castle.

Leeds Castle, the loveliest castle in the world, holds a series of events throughout the Summer. Their events include their annual outdoor Classical Concert, an open air Cinema sessions, open-air theatre performances, breathtaking jousting and falconry displays and much more, there really is something for everyone, young and old!

The Kent and East Sussex Railway

Thomas and Friends pay a visit to the Kent and Sussex Railway. 

Family favourite, the Kent and Sussex Railway, has two fabulous events running throughout the summer. For the adults, their Real Ale and Cider train features some of the finest micro-brewery real ales, including local beers from the Old Dairy Brewery and Rother Valley Brewing Company. The trip includes a meal, live entertainment at Bodium Station and a souvenir pint glass.

For the youngsters, Thomas and Friends have travelled from Sodor, all the way for a day of family fun! It’s an event for the whole family, where your little engineer can take a trip with Thomas, say hello to the Fat Controller and enjoy lots of Thomas stories.

Visit their website for more details and to book.

Finally, no summer holiday would be complete with a trip to the seaside!

Camber Sands is just a 45 minute drive from Wadhurst Castle Cottage.

Combining golden sands, fish and chips and a medieval castle town, a trip to Camber Sands and Rye is simply the perfect day out. Camber boasts 5 miles of sandy beach, which is a popular spot for families, dog walkers, horse riders and those who enjoy more active sports such as kite surfing and windsurfing! Combine your trip to the beach with a visit to medieval Rye, whose history is rich and plentiful. The cobbled streets and architectural treasures will take you back in time, the perfect spot for lunch and ice cream.

(Please note that Camber Sands has a restricted dog zone and horse riding restrictions enforced throughout summer. Please check their website before visiting to make sure you aren’t disappointed.)