Late summer colour blending with the first signs of autumn is on offer across Kent’s beautiful open gardens, thanks to the National Garden Scheme.
Here’s four spectacular September gardens that are welcoming visitors this month…
COPPER HOUSE, near Cranbrook
This modern flower garden is set against the backdrop of a newly built house clad in copper, hence the name. The strong colour palette is brought to life by dahlias, Verbena bonariensis, crocosmia, cosmos and dark Sambuca nigra, matching the copper walls. Three wildlife ponds reflect the autumn light, and there are renovated woodland ponds just a short walk from the garden.
Details: The Copper House in Beneden, near Cranbrook, will be open on Sunday, September 7 from 11am to 4pm. Adult tickets cost £6. You can book here.
DODDINGTON PLACE, near Sittingbourne
The new ‘Wobbly Tower’ opened earlier this year in the gardens of Doddington Place. The tower, positioned between the renovated Edwardian rock garden and formal sunken garden, provides stunning views of the grounds, including the mixed borders and central pond. It’s been designed by architect Tom Croft, whose great-grandparents built and lived in the main house in the late 1800s. The 10-acre garden also has mature trees, cloud-clipped yew hedges and a large woodland garden.
Details: Doddington Place in Doddington, near Sittingbourne, is open on Sunday, September 28 from 11am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £12. You can book here.
HURST HOUSE, near Tonbridge
This location is new to the National Garden Scheme, having hosted its first open day earlier this year. Visitors can admire the autumn colours and beautiful views from the Victorian walled garden. This elegant space includes a 1902 Thomas Messenger vinery and glasshouse, a swimming pond and sauna pod. There’s also a wildflower meadow, that is currently an ongoing project, and a native woodland that was planted three years ago with the help of a Woodland Trust grant.
Details: Hurst House in Penshurst, near Tonbridge, will be open on Sunday, September 7 from 10am to 4.30pm. Adult tickets cost £10. You can book here.
RAMSGATE GARDENS
A collection of gardens are coming together for one afternoon. Start your stroll at Anne-Marie Nixey’s garden at 104 Grange Road, a long town garden divided into several spaces including a vegetable garden with chickens and a beautiful garden building where cakes, teas and plants will be on sale. A short walk will take you to the historic Vale Square, where a number of front gardens in this listed Regency square are taking part in the open day.
Details: Grange Road and Vale Square in Ramsgate will be open on Sunday, September 14 from 12pm to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £5. You can book here.
You can find the full list of open gardens across the country on the National Garden Scheme website.
