You think you know a county and then you go to Chiddingstone Castle. Helen Geraghty checked out one of the seven wonderful attractions that form the Seven Wonders of the Weald.

The photo shoot to promote the new 'llama walks’ at beautiful Chiddingstone Castle is in full swing and Paddy the fun-loving llama is rather pleased with all the attention. We are all on a steep llama learning curve, under threateningly stormy skies, in the stunning grounds of this country house near Edenbridge.

Did you know, for example, that llamas make a humming sound, with a different pitch depending on their mood?

Or that their infamous spitting is usually only at other llamas in rows over food? They will only spit at people if they really, really don’t like them.

Oh, and don’t be fooled by the dispassionate face; these members of the camel family are known to have quite a sense of humour, as can be seen in Paddy’s keen interest in both the camera and the photographer.

If you have ever been charged a fortune for the privilege of taking someone else’s pet for a walk – I was once quoted £50 for “two people sharing a llama for one hour” – you might be pleased that youngsters over three can take one of these out for a walk for half an hour for just £7. And when did anyone ever want to do anything for more than half an hour, anyway?

Once you have parked up your llama, a walk around the inside of Chiddingstone Castle, is, honestly, a bit of a surprise too. This property, dating back to 1550, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Weald, who have banded together to offer a money-saving pass to visitors.

Somewhat in the shadow of grandiose neighbour, Hever Castle, poor cash-strapped Chiddingstone Castle was once ignominiously turned down by the National Trust when eccentric collector Denys Eyre Bower bequeathed it to them on his death in 1977.

But the High Court ordered the formation of a private trust to run the castle – and nowadays to miss a peek around the stuff that is packed into this self-effacing property really is to miss out.

Tucked neatly into a box in the Stuart and Jacobite collection is the heart of King James II, there are broadswords used in the battle of Culloden and a drinks bill written to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Down the hall there’s an Egyptian collection. Take any eight-year-old around here and, with ancient Egypt on the national curriculum, they will know more than you about the mummified cat and the 5,000-year-old funeral boat.

When it comes to Japan, Denys Bower knew just what he was looking for and built up one of the finest collections of Japanese lacquer in western Europe. This is not at all as dull as it sounds and the Japanese room is home to some delicate and priceless boxes made to look like shells as well as some tiny but fearsome Oriental warrior statues. On a lighter note, children can dress up as Japanese warriors here.

Denys Bower, who I forgot to mention was once banged up for trying to murder his girlfriend, was also a Buddhist. His collection of Buddhist artefacts is an astonishing round-up of religious imagery from Tibet, India, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

But no little girl should be allowed to miss the cautionary tales of the castle kitchen, where maids as young as eight would have once worked for up to 13 hours a day. There is an ancient ice box here, that would have been filled from the castle ice house, and a loft for smoking bacon and ham that is lined with lead. Try getting that past health and safety today.

You won’t have to push past the crowds for a quiet walk in the 35 acres of gardens here. There’s plenty of peace to go round at the lake, the bridge, the rose garden and the large lawns for children to run about.

Denys, a Buddhist to the last, was duly released from prison after a miscarriage of justice was proven and returned to live in his castle. He believed that he was the reincarnation of Bonnie Prince Charlie and he enjoyed in equal measure, the company of women and Rolls Royce cars.

But I think he would really have loved the llamas.

The seven wonders

Chiddingstone Castle is just one attraction that can be visited with the Seven Wonders of the Weald pass, offering free and discounted days out. The pass costs £39.95 and offers savings of £145. It includes:

1. Chiddingstone Castle. Two free visits, saving £14.

2. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest. Three free car entries, saving £24.

3. Biddenden Vineyard. Free drink in cafe.

4. Marle Place Gardens and Gallery, Brenchley. Four free visits, saving £22.

5. The Hop Farm Family Park, Paddock Wood. Two free visits, saving £25.60.

6. Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden. Three two-for-one tickets, saving £40.50.

7. Merriments Gardens, Hurst Green. Four free visits, saving £20.

For more information see www.sevenwonders.org.uk