New National Garden Scheme gardens opening in Kent in 2024

By: Sam Lawrie slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 10 February 2024

Kent is home to some truly stunning gardens, from stylish Italian walled gardens to sprawling lawns with views of the coast.

The National Garden Scheme, which sees private gardens open to the public for exclusive access, has revealed its list of locations for this year, including 10 beautiful new gardens opening across the county. Here’s everything you need to know…

Sussex-based designer Kristina Clode is behind the garden at Chapel Farmhouse. Picture: National Garden Scheme

Chapel Farmhouse, Deal

This farmhouse garden is small but bespoke and designed by award-winning designer Kristina Clode. The several separate spaces include a Japanese pond garden, a formal lawn, a vegetable garden and herbaceous borders.

Details: Open on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 at Chapel Farmhouse in Tilmanstone, near Deal, from 12pm to 6pm. Entry costs £5.

Court Lodge is located on River Darenth. Picture: National Garden Scheme

Court Lodge, Dartford

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Located in a beautiful waterfront spot on the River Darenth, this garden has been developed over four generations. It features mature trees, yew hedges, a kitchen garden, a walled Italian garden and a wild bank that you can take a walk through in the summer.

Details: Saturday, June 22 at Court Lodge in Horton Kirby, near Dartford, from 2pm to 5.30pm. Entry costs £8.

Down House is the former family home of evolutionary scientist Charles Darwin. Picture: National Garden Scheme

Down House, near Orpington

This English Heritage location and former home of Charles Darwin is known as a ‘living laboratory’. The gardens and grounds around the house are filled with scientific history, as well as a collection of carnivorous plants and views of the Kent countryside.

Details: Tuesday, July 23 at Down House in Downe, near Orpington, from 5.30pm to 8pm. Entry costs £15.

Fairseat Manor is a perfect place to see snowdrops in the colder months. Picture: National Garden Scheme

Fairseat Manor, Sevenoaks

The two-acre mature garden sits atop the North Downs with stunning views. The garden itself is filled with spring bulbs, rose borders, meadows and a sunken garden with a pond.

Details: Open by arrangement only until Sunday, March 10 at Fairseat Manor in Fairseat, near Sevenoaks. Entry costs £5.

The community garden in Lynsted is a space where local enthusiasts can work together to grow produce. Picture: National Garden Scheme

Lynsted Community Kitchen Garden, near Sittingbourne

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This shared community garden has been developed by locals who grow organic fruit and vegetables together here. The sustainable half-acre garden focuses on soil health, biodiversity and water management.

Details: Sunday, July 7 at Lynsted Community Kitchen Garden in Lynsted, near Sittingbourne, from 11am to 5pm. Entry costs £8.

99 High Street, Tenterden

This private garden boasts plants and flowers that have been meticulously grown and cared for over 25 years. The narrow garden includes a long brick path, outdoor ‘rooms’ and seating areas.

Details: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 at 99 High Street in Tenterden from 12pm to 5pm. Entry costs £6.

There are more than 90 traditional rose species in Old Bladbean Stud. Picture: National Garden Scheme

Old Bladbean Stud, Canterbury

For people who love to smell the roses, this garden is worth a visit. There are more than 90 rose varieties, a tranquil yellow and white garden, a Victorian-style greenhouse and an organic fruit garden. It’s all been grown and maintained by the owner with the hope of building an ‘ornamental ecosystem’.

Details: Sunday, May 26; Sunday, June 9; Sunday, June 23; Sunday, July 7; and Sunday, July 21 at Old Bladbean Stud in Bladbean, near Canterbury, from 2pm to 6pm. Entry costs £6.

The gardens at Fox Cottages are home to several varieties of fruit trees. Picture: National Garden Scheme

1 Fox Cottages, near Faversham

This organic cottage garden might not be picture-perfect all year round, but it produces lots of fruit and vegetables from the apple arches, fruit trees and vegetable patches, as well as its own compost. There are also great views from the top end of the garden.

Details: Sunday, May 5 and Saturday, August 3 at 1 Fox Cottages in Oversland, near Faversham, from 12pm to 4pm. Entry costs £7.

You can watch the waves from the gardens at Marine Parade in Whitstable. Picture: National Garden Scheme

6 Marine Parade, Whitstable

This south-facing seaside garden captures the sun in its agave patio and wild pebble garden. You can catch beautiful views of the seafront as you admire the perennial plants and natural pond.

Details: Friday, April 26 and Friday, August 23 at 6 Marine Parade in Whitstable from 11am to 4pm. Entry costs £7.

Take in views of the River Thames from the Gravesend garden. Picture: National Garden Scheme

Thames House, Gravesend

Get more for your money at this location as there are three unique gardens to explore. The individual spaces are connected by steps and include a main terrace with views of the Thames River, a western terrace with a fish pond and the main garden with a walled garden, mixed borders, fruit trees and seating areas.

Details: Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11 at Thames House in Gravesend from 12pm to 5pm. Entry costs £5.