The romantic award-winning gardens at Hever Castle are the location for a new event, the Best of British Garden Festival.

The event takes place from Monday, June 20 to Sunday, June 26 and features a week of classic British celebrations.

Organisers say it’s the perfect opportunity to visit the gardens at their summer best and be inspired by the patriotic planting schemes.

The garden festival culminates with a weekend of traditional English fun for all the family on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26.

There’s Punch and Judy for the children, bunting in the grounds and croquet on the lawns.

Classic car lovers have the opportunity to view a classic and vintage car on the castle forecourt, followed by a display of 70 Aston Martins in the grounds on Sunday, June 26. Champagne cream teas are on the restaurant menus throughout the week.

Rose lovers will see the beautiful new Hever Castle Rose planted in beds beside the maze. Launched by Dame Judi Dench at the castle this spring, the floribunda Hever Castle produces masses of velvety deep red blooms which fade to cerise, offset by golden-yellow stamens. It was bred by the highly regarded rose grower, the late Colin Horner and is available to buy in the courtyard shop along with many other rose varieties growing in the gardens.

Hever’s rose garden has around 4,000 roses which fill the air with a heady fragrance throughout the summer.

The Best of British theme continues ironically in the Italian Gardens, where each individual garden room is planted with red, blue and white summer bedding, representing the colours of the Union Flag. Popular plants such as petunia, cosmos, begonia, salvia and heliotrope are given a new lease of life in a variety of colourful designs.

In the castle itself the theme is reflected in red, white and blue floral displays enhancing the wonderful rooms.

As part of the Best of British celebrations at Hever Castle, a programme of open-air theatre and musical events will take place each evening reflecting the theme. Extra charges apply for this. Gardens open at 10.30am, castle opens at noon. Last admission 5pm.