Open Days in May
This month there are five exciting new gardens opening their garden gates to welcome wonderful visitors. Details below.
Lympne Castle is a stunning medieval castle dating back to 1089 with views over to France. The ancient walled gardens now include a new Italianate style garden that joins the long-established wisterias and topiary that surround the castle, with a courtyard garden for spring bulb displays. The formal lawn terraces with herbaceous borders have amazing views over Romney Marsh and the English Channel.
Lympne Castle, The Street, Lympne, nr Hythe, CT21 4LQ
Sun 3 May: 10am–4pm
Refreshments: Tea, coffee & cake in the castle bar.
Admission: Adult: £10.00. Child: FREE. Dog friendly
Hartridge House gardens were originally established by Col. Charles Grey, founder of RHS Harlow Carr, at the beginning of the C20 and the valley-like lower garden still has his original rhododendrons and azaleas. A process of renovation was started a few years ago and the upper garden has recently been planted by the current owners with herbaceous borders framed by original yew hedging.
Hartridge House, Starvenden Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, TN17 2AN
Thurs 21 & Fri 22 May: 11am–4pm
Refreshments: Homemade teas.
Admission: Adult: £7.50. Child: FREE.
At Snakesbury, the gardens have been developed from mainly lawns into varied spaces to encourage wildlife. The 5-acre site includes a white garden, a shrub garden, long borders, a small orchard, a walled kitchen garden, ponds and a field which is gradually being planted up as woodland.
Snakesbury, Iwade Road, Newington, Sittingbourne, ME9 7JY
Sat 23 & Sun 24 May: 11am–4pm. Refreshments: Homemade teas.
Admission: Adult: £7.00. Child: FREE. Dog friendly.
Wedgwood House has a medium-sized mature suburban garden that’s packed full of colour in the mixed borders and in the numerous displays of pots and containers. Pre-booking essential.
Wedgwood House, The Grove, Kennington, Ashford, TN24 9HA
Tues 26 & Thurs 28 May: 12pm–4pm.
Pre-booking essential
Refreshments: Tea, coffee & cake is included.
Admission: Adult: £7.50.
1 Beeches Farm Cottages is a plantaholic’s garden, set in a peaceful rural spot where a field has been turned into a garden of curving paths, glasshouses and a home to many unusual plants. Organically managed, there is a rich variety of perennials, grasses, heritage vegetables and a National Collection of Tulbaghia. Undercover seating for tea and home-made cake, with ample parking in the adjacent field as well as a picnic area.
1 Beeches Farm Cottages, Canada Farm Road, South Darenth, Dartford, DA4 9LA
Saturday 30 May: 11am–4pm
Refreshments: Homemade teas
Admission: Adult: £6. Child: FREE. Dog friendly. Plants for sale.
This garden also opens for “By Arrangement Visits” from 5 June to 4 July for groups of up to 12.
Information about all the Kent open gardens in May and throughout 2026 can be found here: www.ngs.org.uk/kent
