Things To Do

Birthplace, home and passion of gardening writer the late Christopher Lloyd. Great Dixter was built in 1450 and boasts one of the largest surviving timber-framed halls in the country with antique furniture and a needlework collection. Sir Edwin Lutyens was employed to restore the house and gardens in 1910. The gardens are now the hallmark of Christopher Lloyd, with a variety of clipped topiary, wild meadow flowers, mixed borders, ponds and the Exotic Garden.

The stunning gardens were created by Vita Sackville-West, the poet and writer, and her husband, Harold Nicholson, the diplomat and author, in the 1930s. The perfect place to lose yourself in the romance and history of the surroundings.

Award-winning gardens and landscaping with fine old trees and delightful planting to inspire throughout the year. Perfect destination for garden lovers and history enthusiasts of Tudor times.

A 14^th century moated castle surrounded by a magnificent garden, famed for its azaleas and rhododendrons .  There are 770 acres of parkland to explore or you can picnic in enchanted woodland. The estate is open throughout the year.

The family home of the Dukes of Norfolk for more than nine centuries in West Sussex. Set in 40 acres with spectacular gardens. The castle contains priceless collections of tapestries, furniture, and armour.

A fortified 4^th Century manor house and gardens with adventure playground and summer maze. Once the property of King Henry VIII, the house was left to his son King Edward VI and granted to Sir William Sidney in 1552. The Sidney family have been in continuous occupation for more than 460 years.

Described as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’, the 900 year old Leeds Castle surrounded by a moat and 500 acres of parkland offers year round events and attractions. It was a popular residence of Edward I and Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife lived here and in modern times has been used as a location for films including James Bond in Moonraker!

A medieval moated manor and National Trust property near Sevenoaks in Kent.  Surrounded by peaceful gardens with an orchard, water features, lakes and woodland walks, this beautiful English country house, built nearly 700 years ago, was once the home of knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high society Victorians.

A glimpse into the splendour of 14th Century life. Bodiam is a moated castle with magnificent ruins where once knights would have lived, loved and fought. The original wooden portcullis still survives in the impressive gatehouse. Seasonal events are staged throughout the year.

The Jacobean home of Rudyard Kipling where he wrote ‘Kim’ remains much as he and his family would have remembered it. It was love at first sight for Kipling when he saw it, with its mullioned windows and oak beams.  Visitors can enjoy its delightful gardens on the River Dudwell and its working watermill.

The childhood home of Anne Boleyn second wife of Henry VIII, is a double moated castle with panelled rooms containing exquisite tapestries, furniture and one of the best collections of Tudor portraits in the country. It is surrounded by 125 acres to explore including a giant topiary chess set and magnificent lake.

As the family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill, it contains an unrivalled collection of Churchill paintings, photographs and memorabilia.