Every Wednesday and Thursday until the end of October, the beautiful Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden, Kent are now open to visitors.
Hole Park is one of the attractions which belong to the Seven Wonders of the Weald and these delightful gardens, which are made up of formal gardens, meadows and woodland, are owned and managed by the Barham family.
These extensive gardens have plenty to offer visitors throughout summer and into autumn and is famous for its bluebells and standard wisteria in spring and wonderful topiary.
Quentin Stark, Head Gardener at Hole Park, points out some of the highlights of a visit to Hole Park in the summer months: “The summer bedding is now in full flower and will continue into autumn. Some of my favourites around the gardens are Ageratum, Antirrhinum (snap dragons), Agrostemma (corncockle), Sweet peas, Cleome and Helianthus (sunflowers). We have carried out an extensive bulb planting programme in recent years and visitors in summer will see Crinum X powellii, Crocosmia Alstromeria and Gladiolus in the borders and pots. Herbaceous plants such as Astrantia, Sanguisorba, Sedum, Salvia, Centaurea, Cephalaria will also provide colour through to autumn. After a slow start this year, The Cannas, Dahlias Hedychium and Salvias in the tropical border are starting to come into flower.”
Other areas of the garden with summer blooms include the sundial garden which is full of scented roses and clematis. The vineyard with its hydrangeas and climbing roses and a new border near the house features the rose ‘Blue Moon’. The late flowering agapanthus, unique to Hole Park, and the exotic border will take centre stage in late summer before the reds, yellows and golds of autumn bring interest during October.
A circular network of hard paths enables visitors of all ages, including those with disabilities, to explore the gardens. Wheelchairs may be reserved free of charge and there are full disability WC facilities.
Light lunches and delicious homemade cakes are available in the coach house where apple juice, local beer and homemade jam and honey produced from the fruit and bees on the Hole Park Estate can be purchased. There is also a small plant stall next to the coach house.
There is a dedicated tea room for groups, free parking for cars and coaches and conducted tours can also be arranged for groups by prior arrangement.
Hole Park is situated 4 miles west of Tenterden on the B2086 between Rolvenden and Benenden.
Hole Park is a family owned estate which has been in the Barham family for the past four generations. Formalised gardens combine with natural woodland. These...
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