A selection of gardens to visit in August
New gardens & special events to visit over the summer in Kent
There are loads of lovely gardens opening over the summer for you to enjoy, along with a few new ones this year too. Many offer garden visitors delicious homemade teas at very reasonable prices, and free entry for children. All garden openings raise funds for some of the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities.
St Helens Lodge
NEW: The garden is on several levels, with a pretty white garden with paving and steps to a lawn and raised pond, mixed borders and a lovely late summer border. There’s a fruit tunnel that leads through to a greenhouse, summerhouse, secret garden and raised vegetable beds. There are several secluded seating areas that offer pretty views of the garden while you enjoy a cup of tea and some cake.
St Helens Lodge, Lower Road, East Farleigh, Maidstone, ME15 0JT
Sat 22 Aug: 12pm – 5pm
Refreshments: Homemade teas included in admission price
Admission: Adult: £9.00, inc tea & cake. Child: FREE. Dogs on short leads welcome.
71a High Street
NEW: A small but exciting garden that’s packed full of interesting exotic and rare plants from around the world. Winding paths take you in a journey from lush jungles to dry deserts and everything in between! Nestled on the high street in Minster, the garden is a true plant lovers paradise with an eclectic array of flora and ingenious ideas to make every bit of space count.
71a High Street, Minster, Ramsgate, CT12 4AB
Sat 29 & Sun 30 August; Sat 12 & Sun 13 Sept: 10.00am – 4.30pm
No refreshments, but there are several pubs, tearooms and restaurants in Minster village.
Admission: Adult: £5.00. Child: FREE. Plants for sale.
1 Barnfield Cottages
A medium sized 4 year old garden divided into two areas. The main area consists of herbaceous borders and island beds, planted with unusual perennials and grasses, both tender and hardy to give year-round colour and interest. The second area is chiefly devoted to vegetables and fruit with flowering shrubs to provide interest.
1 Barnfield Cottages, The Street, Wormshill, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 0TU
Sat 15 & Sun 16 August: 12pm – 5pm
Refreshments: Tea, coffee & cake. Admission: Adult: £6.00. Child: Free
Avalon
A ½ acre, edge of woodland garden for all seasons, on a north west slope with something round every corner. Views of surrounding countryside and across the Thames estuary. Collections of roses, hostas and ferns plus shrubs, trees, vegetables, fruit, unusual plants and flowers. Planted by feeling, making it a reflective space and plant lovers’ garden. Plenty of seating for taking in the garden and resting from lots of steps.
Avalon, 57 Stoney Road, Dunkirk, Kent, ME13 9TN
Sat 1, Sun 2, Sat 22 & Sun 23: 10:30am – 4pm
Refreshments: Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission: Adult: £7.00. Child: Free.
For information about all the Kent open gardens in 2026: www.ngs.org.uk/kent
