Visit the gardens of Heart of Kent Hospice supporters and help raise much needed funds to give the very best care possible for those we love at the end of their life. Heart of Kent Hospice Open Gardens 2015
Open Gardens 2015 This spring and summer we are delighted that so many of our supporters are willing to open their own private and stunning gardens, ranging from grand 18th century landscaped gardens to a safari of village gardens from Marden to Mereworth. Come along, admire, bring your friends and family, enjoy a cup of tea and cake, and maybe go home with a few home-grown plants and a definite feeling of well-being! By visiting these gardens you will be helping your local Heart of Kent Hospice. As a charity all our care is local and is given free. It costs over 4million a year to provide our unique, bespoke and compassionate care for both patients and their families through illness, death and on into bereavement, and we want to continue providing this exceptional care in the future. We know how important gardening is to many of our patients, their families and our supporters. The therapeutic health benefits of gardening and garden appreciation are well-documented. We also list on page 14 those National Gardens Scheme (NGS) gardens within our own Hospice area which open for charity (including Hospice UK, of which our Hospice is a member). Many thanks to our own local garden owners who open for Heart of Kent Hospice and NGS garden owners for their huge efforts and generosity. We look forward to seeing you in Kent s wonderful gardens in 2015. Save the dates below! Thank you for your support. KEY TO SYMBOLS Suggested donation Wheelchair access? Limited wheelchair access A Dogs welcome Assistance dogs only arking - but may not be on site Children free - must be Toilet - but may not be on site Free Refreshments lants for sale One free glass of wine 1 Heart of Kent Hospice, reston Hall, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7U Fundraising Team: 01622 790195 email: fundraising@hokh.co.uk website:www.hokh.org Registered Charity No: 298164
Westerhill Farm Blossom Walk Westerhill Road, Linton ME17 4BS Sunday 19th April. One hour tour at 10.30am. (re-booking recommended) Join the owners of Westerhill Farm for a one hour walk through the beautiful apple, pear, plum and cherry orchards, laden with spring blossom. The Farm is set into the Greensand ridge, with one of the most outstanding views in the South East. Many film crews have used the location over the years. Come and enjoy the renowned views and appreciate why this busy working farm is in one of the most favoured locations, along with other neighbouring farms, for fruit growing in the whole of the UK. Email: fundraising@ hokh.co.uk or phone the Fundraising Team on 01622 790195 to reserve your place. 5 2
Gallants Manor Gallants Lane, East Farleigh ME15 0LF Sun 3rd & Mon 4th May (Bank Hol), 11am-4pm The owners of Gallants Manor invite you to enjoy their wonderful private ten acre country garden which surrounds the 14th Century house (not open). The garden has a stunning formal rose garden, a pond with a stream leading into a small lake, spring bulbs, azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, herbaceous and shrub borders, as well as extensive lawns, a paved courtyard and superb views of the North Downs. Gallants Manor is also open in aid of the NGS and East Farleigh Church. 3 hoto courtesy of Leigh Clapp
Joint opening Arnold Yoke & Inverarnold Mon 4th May (Bank Holiday) & Sun 20th Sept, 2-5pm 5 suggested donation to visit both gardens Mon 4th May & Sun 20th Sept, 2-5pm Recently redesigned half acre garden complementing a 15th Century Wealden farmhouse (not open). Elements of formality (principally yew hedging and box edging) provide the background for exuberant and full planting of shrubs and herbaceous perennials in an attempt to have intensive colour from April to October. Arnold Yoke Back Street, Leeds ME17 1TF? Mon 4th May & Sun 20th Sept, 2-5pm A fascinating collection of over 200 different varieties of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs planted in five acres of former orchards. In spring an abundance of blossom can be enjoyed and in autumn many trees carry colourful fruits and display fine autumn tints. Four acres of native woodland can also be visited. Inverarnold Back Street, Leeds ME17 1TE hoto courtesy of Go West hotography? A 4
Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway The Warren, Swanton Street, Bredgar ME9 8AT Sunday 10th May 11am-5pm This is a garden with a real difference! The owners of this delightful and fascinating restored vintage-style narrow gauge railway are opening their secluded grounds especially to Hospice supporters. Come with family and friends to enjoy unlimited steam engine-pulled train travel from Warren Wood to Stony Shaw stations through 30 acres of privately owned bluebellclad woodland and fields. Visit the indoor collection of steam locomotives, carriages and goods stock and appreciate the importance of steam energy to industry for over 100 years. Spend the day here with a picnic or visit the tea room, where all proceeds from refreshments will generously go to Heart of Kent Hospice. 5
Mere House The Street, Mereworth ME18 5NB Monday 25th May (Bank Hol), 2-5pm There have been a garden, park and ornamental lake here since Mere House was built in 1780. Its extensive lawns and borders are bounded by the C19 woodland walk and the lake. Over the past 55 years, the Wells family have redesigned the garden in an informal manner, concentrating on ornamental shrubs and trees with an emphasis on foliage contrast. There are large areas of rough grass where daffodils give way to wild flowers in the summer. 4 6
Little Nut Hall & The Coach House Joint opening 5 suggested donation to visit both gardens Sunday 31st May 1-5pm Enjoy a family day out with magnificent Downs views. Formal terracing, rill, orchard, immature woodland, and fledgling local wild flower meadow, Ask a bee-keeping enthusiast questions. If warm, bring swimming things to enjoy the unheated and un pool (at your own risk).? Little Nut Hall The Common (A229), Sissinghurst TN17 2AJ Sunday 31st May 1-5pm The Coach House has a delightful, partlywalled garden that has been cleverly divided to offer a variety of spaces, from lawn-lined deep colour-themed herbaceous borders, mature rhododendrons, a miniature woodland glade and an enclosed and magical rose room with a small pond. 7? Free The Coach House Sissinghurst lace, Biddenden Road, Sissinghurst TN17 2J 6
The eace Garden and Tree Trail Aylesford riory, The Friars, Aylesford ME20 7BX Tuesday 2nd June 10am-4pm The eace Garden, in the original entrance to The Friars Gatehouse, was designed to provide a quiet, accessible and sensory space. The garden can be viewed as a whole or as individual areas of planting. Upright sleepers divide it into several small themed gardens - encouraging calm and reflection through their shapes, colour palettes and use of water. The volunteer gardeners who have created and maintain this beautiful place will answer questions, as well as indicate a trail to follow of some of the magnificent ancient and specimen trees growing at Aylesford riory, including the stately False Acacia. 4 A Child 3 8
The Grange Maidstone Road, Marden TN12 9AG Sunday 7th June 2-5pm The Grange was originally a farmhouse but was extended and developed in the 1930s by a wealthy stockbroker as a country home for a gentleman. He laid out the gardens which now include parkland, formal gardens, fruit trees, rhododendron walk, woodland, meadows, ponds and orchard. The gardens are managed without use of chemicals, to encourage wildlife. 5? 9
Stoneacre - National Trust Garden Otham, Maidstone ME15 8RS Sunday 21st June 11am-4pm We are delighted that the tenants of this wonderful National Trust Garden and 15th Century House in Otham are once again opening in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice. Celebrate Father s Day at this beautiful cottagestyle garden, which has developed over the centuries around a timber-framed Yeoman s house. Sculpted lawns, herbaceous borders, a secret garden and glorious views over the Downs can be admired from stone paths. A garden highlight is the rare tree, Staphylea colchica - the Bladdernut - with its fragrant blossom. Stoneacre is a perfect example of a Wealden Hall House - full of wonderful collections of furniture, wood and metal work.? 5 Child 3 hoto courtesy of Roger Smith 10
Detling Village Safari St Martin s Church, The Street, Detling ME14 3JT Sunday 28th June 2-6pm Tickets, with a map and descriptions of each garden on the back, will be available from St Martin s church on the day so that you can plan your route around a wide range of village gardens, including two that have received Gold Gardening for Wildlife Awards from Kent Wildlife. Gardens include The Croft, Wealden Hall, Hawthorne s and some gardens in Hocker s Lane. Don t miss the churchyard, which has received a Silver Gardening for Wildlife award. The proceeds will be divided equally between Heart of Kent Hospice and The Friends of Detling Church. 5? 11 9 10
Heart of Kent Hospice reston Hall, Aylesford ME20 7U Saturday 11th July 10am-4pm The Hospice Garden is a treasured space, providing a tranquil, calm and peaceful environment where our patients can sit comfortably and have discreet conversations with medical staff and families surrounded by beautiful planting. Many of our patients are unable to garden regularly at home or have had to give up their gardens so this space, which is lovingly and regularly tended by dedicated volunteers, allows views of wonderful plants and trees, not to mention the inquisitive local squirrels, from each of our Inpatient rooms. 4 A 11 7 12
Strettitt lace 22 Old Road, East eckham TN12 5ER Sunday 6th September, 2-5pm We are delighted that the owners, who have lived at Strettitt lace for over 40 years, are opening their charming garden, which they only recently developed. Come and visit their village garden with predominately herbaceous borders and lawns. In late summer, dahlias and cannas add fresh colour to the planting. Covering approximately an acre, there is also a pond and a wild flower area in the less formal part of the garden further away from the house, encouraging wildlife from adjacent farmland. 4? A 13
National Gardens Scheme In 2015 over 120 National Gardens Scheme (NGS) private gardens in Kent will open for charity as well as our own local supporters gardens. The NGS has donated more than 3million to Hospice UK since 1996. Many thanks to the NGS garden owners for their huge efforts and generosity. A full listing of all the Kent gardens open for the NGS can be found at www.ngs.org.uk. Garden Address Date of Opening Mere House The Street, Mereworth, ME18 5NB Mon 6th Apr, Sun 25th (See also page 6) Oct, 2-5pm arsonage Oasts Hampstead Lane, Yalding, ME18 6HG Mon 6th, Sun 19th Apr, 2-5.30pm 11 Raymer Road enenden Heath, Maidstone, ME14 2JQ Sun 19th Apr, Sun 5th July, 11am-4pm Timbers Dean Street, East Farleigh, ME15 0HS Visitors welcome by arrangement Apr to July Ashley White Horse Lane, Otham, ME15 8RQ Visitors welcome by arrangement Apr to Sept Gallants Manor Gallants Lane, East Farleigh, ME15 0LF Sun 3rd, Mon 4th May, (See also page 3) 11am-4pm Eagleswood Slade Road, Warren Street, Sun 10th, Mon 25th Lenham, ME17 2EG May, 11am-5pm Smiths Hall Lower Road, West Farleigh, ME15 0E Sun 31st May, Sun 5th July, 11am-5pm West Malling Early West Malling, ME19 6LW Sun 31st May, 12-5pm Summer Gardens Nettlestead lace Nettlestead, ME18 5HA Sun 7th June, Sun 4th Oct, 2-5pm Rock Farm Gibbs Hill, Nettlestead, ME18 5HT Wed 10th, Sat 13th June, 11am-6pm Sutton Valence School North Street, Sutton Valence, ME17 3HL Wed 1st July, 11am-3pm Knowle Hill Farm Ulcombe, Maidstone, ME17 1ES Evening opening with wine, Sat 4th July, 5-8pm, Sun 2nd Aug, 2-6pm Ightham Mote Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT Thurs 9th July, 10.30am-5pm Orchard House Spenny Lane, Claygate, Marden, TN12 9J Sat 11th, Sun 12th July, 11am-4pm 14
The National Gardens Scheme www.ngs.org.uk The place for plants An independent garden centre with enthusiastic and helpful staff and an extensive range of high quality plants. If you re passionate about plants too then we re well worth a visit, we probably have the widest range in the south-east. We also stock a good range of composts, pots, bulbs and seeds. Kent Gardens 2014 01622 737801 www.thepottedgarden.co.uk Ashford Road (A20), Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4NH Open 9am to 5.30pm 7 days a week including Bank Holidays