More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
If you’ve got big plans to explore our lovely Kent countryside this year, the revamped Seven Wonders of the Weald pass could be a good way to save some money.
Each year, seven attractions, all grouped around the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, band together to offer a discount scheme to draw attention to the delights of the area. This year, each pass costs £25 – a saving of around £40 on admission charges to the attractions.
Each pass offers entry for one person to Scotney Castle, Marle Place Gardens and Gallery, Groombridge Place, the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Chiddingstone Castle and Gardens is also on the list. At Biddenden Vineyards, where entry is free, bosses are offering a complimentary coffee or tea. The spa town of Tunbridge Wells is listed as the seventh wonder and is helping out with the running of the scheme.
If you enjoy visiting attractions on your door-step, this could be a great way to find out more about the High Weald’s historic buildings, rolling grasslands, abundant woodlands, sunken lanes and captivating villages.
Visit www.sevenwonders.org.uk to find out information about the wonders and all the things taking place this year including concerts, theatre productions, sculpture exhibitions and a full programme of children’s activities during the school holidays.
Biddenden Vineyard is Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard, having been established by the Barnes family in 1969. Ten varieties of grapes are grown to produce white, red, rosé and quality sparkling wines, all of which are pressed and bottled on site. The vineyard also produces the famous Biddenden Cider, along with farm pressed juices.
Visitors to the vineyard are able to take a walk through the vines on a defined route and take a look around the winery. There is also the chance to taste the award winning wines, ciders and juices in the vineyard shop.
For info see www.biddendenvineyards.com
SEVEN WONDERS DEAL: One complimentary tea, coffee or apple juice
This historic spa town is the gateway to the Seven Wonders of the Weald.
The Pantiles is the oldest part of the town and was once the playground of Georgian aristocracy who came to enjoy the health-giving Chalybeate spring water which visitors can still enjoy today.
To find out what’s going on, pop into the Tourist Information Centre in the Pantiles before you start to explore. For information see www.visittunbridgewells.com.
SEVEN WONDERS DEAL: No deal, but don’t miss a new look at this gateway to the Seven Wonders.
This is one of the country’s finest examples of a preserved rural light railway. From Tenterden Town station historic steam and diesel trains gently wind their way along 10 and a half miles of track travelling through unrivalled Wealden countryside and the beautiful Rother Valley. The route finally terminates in the Sussex village of Bodiam in the shadow of the magnificent National Trust castle.
Today, the railway retains much of its historic beauty and visitors enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and service of a bygone age.
For info see kesr.org.uk
SEVEN WONDERS DEAL: One free adult entry, saving £16
Recently awarded the title of a fully accredited museum, this unique country house dates from the 16th century.
Take a chance to explore the house and also enjoy 35 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens which surround the castle, including an impressive lake and Grade II listed orangery.
The museum has fascinating collections of Japanese, Ancient Egyptian, Buddhist, Stuart and Jacobite artefacts – all brought together by the late antiquarian, Denys Eyre Bower, who owned the castle from 1955 to 1977.
Visitors can also discover the recreated Victorian rooms which provide an interesting ‘upstairs downstairs’ theme.
For information and opening times see www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk
SEVEN WONDERS DEAL: One free adult entry, saving £8
Groombridge Place, near Tunbridge Wells, has award winning and stunning walled gardens with statues and water features overlooking the beautiful 17th century manor house. Peacocks roam the gardens and there is a giant chess set that children love to pay on. Out in the forest there are huge tree swings, a boardwalk and Crusoe’s World featuring an authentic large wooden ship complete with rope bridges.
There are bird of prey displays every day except Monday and a canal boat linking the gardens to the forest. Lunches and cream teas are available from the Peacock Bistro.
Information at www.groombridgeplace.com
SEVEN WONDERS DEAL: One free adult entry, saving £9.95.
Not open until April, but worth waiting for. The gardens here have been designed as a combination of hedged rooms and tree lined avenues set on a south east slope ending in a woodland planted with specimen trees bordered by a stream. These peaceful and privately owned gardens, first created in 1890, are the exceptional result of generations of careful attention. There are more than 10 acres of formal and informal planting, encircled by old woodland and orchards. The atmospheric feel of these grounds has evolved and matured over the years. In spring there is a mass of blossom and bulbs, followed in the summer by old-fashioned roses and scented, exuberant borders.
For information see www.marleplace.co.uk
SEVEN WONDERS DEAL: One free adult entry, saving £6.50
Scotney Castle is owned by the National Trust and has much to offer – a fascinating country house and a fairytale 14th century moated castle set within a beautiful wooded estate of more than 770 acres. Discover the Ice House and the Quarry Garden and relax in the lovely grounds. You can enjoy a meal in the tearoom or a picnic in the outdoor area. There are daily activities in the discovery room.
For information see www.nationaltrust.org.uk
THE SEVEN WONDERS DEAL: One free adult entry to house and gardens, saving £13.
The pass costs £25 and is valid for one calendar year from date of purchase and entitles the pass holder to one free admission at all the attractions where admission is charged. The pass is available at www.sevenwonders.org.uk It is also on sale at the shop at Biddenden Vineyards, at Groombridge Place or from tourist information centres in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Ashford.
