I really think Great Dixter is more of a summer garden. I think it opens in April usually.

Oh - you're right -- opens April 1st. So save Great Dixter for your next trip . . .

As for Limes on the Green -- I'd personally stay more in the general Cranbrook/Goudhurst/Royal Tunbridge Wells area. But if you want to be near Maidstone, it does look very nice.

Bearsted is a nice village -- I once rented a cottage for a week in a nearby village, and of course it is really convenient to Leeds.

janisj - it is all lovely round there in the Weald of Kent.

There are some things I don't miss about living in the south-east, [the traffic being a major one] but the views of the Weald, the little villages, the rolling countryside, the great country pubs and the gardens I miss still.

ann ~ you are relentless>> - lol, wrenwood - that's what DH says! [but not in a good way].

Finally!!!!!! We have booked our flights, so here is the itinerary. I had to plan it around open times, some places only being open weekends or Sundays in March, others closed on other days.

We have a morning flight to LHR, so we will arrive England around 10 PM, get our rental car and drive to the Heathrow Marriot to sleep. Next morning we can leave fairly early if we like as the Valley Gardens at Windsor are open at 8 AM.

I still have to book our room at the Marriot, and buy our British Heritage Passes.

One of the days we will also visit the Crowhurst Yew in a churchyard near Lingfield. If anyone knows of any spectacular old trees in our areas, please let me know. Bodiam Castle is still a possbility if we have time. And let me know if you think I've missed anything special, or if you have any suggestions for great places to eat dinner in the areas. And THANKS!!!!!!!

Day 1
Royal Landscape at Windsor, Valley Gardens and Savill Gardens
Wisley if time
stay at Crown Inn, Chiddingford

Day 2
Wakehurst
Nymans
Stay At Starborough Manor near Edenbridge

Day 3
Hever Castle
Penhurst Place
Down House
Stay at Limes on the Green, Bearstead near Maidstone

Day 4
Goodnestone Gardens (NGS)
Great Comp (NGS)
Stay at Limes on the Green, Bearstead near Maidstone

Day 5
Leeds Castle
Godinton House Gardens
Sissinghurst Gardens
Stay at Gravetye Manor, near East Grinstead

Day 6
Borde Hill
High Beeches
Stay at Gravetye Manor, near East Grinstead


Day 7
Bedgebury Pinetum
Scotney Castle
Stay at Gravetye Manor, near East Grinstead

Day 8
”Free Day” for whatever we haven’t seen. Wisley if not done, or Windsor Castle. Maybe Sheffield Place? (we’ve been there once so it is lower in priority)
Stay at Stirrups Country House Hotel, Bracknell

Day 9
12 noon flight from LHR back home

ooh, wrenwood, you're making me feel nostalgic and a tad homesick!

I used to live about 5 miles away from Crowhurst [didn't know about that tree though] and 3 from Ligfield. AND you have three nights at Gravetye - we only managed ONE anniversary dinner!

do give the area my love.

Ann

Looks wonderful! About Wisley -- you probably won't have enough on day 1. But since it is on the GBHP, you could pop in even if you only have an hour or two to see a bit. Then on day 8 on your way back to Windsor/LHR you can go back to see the rest.

Wisley can easily take more than half a day, so breaking it up into two manageable bits could help w/ your itinerary.

Hey Ann, check this out

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/5928319

Gravetye has some special rates right now so we're going for it! Two dinners are included at Gravetye, and one night without dinner. We will probably eat at The Cat Pub in West Hoathly that night.

Good idea Janis, as I am sure that Wisley will keep us occupied for a major part of a day!

I am really looking forward to this, it should get the creative juices flowing in my brain just in time for one of the busiest times of the year for my work. I've started checking the long range weather forecasts and will keep my fingers crossed.

wrenwood - you are a cruel woman.....

I used to take my kids for walks in Staffhurst wood and Merle Common - I KNOW THOSE BLUEBELLS.

today it is warm here [well, warm for Cornwall in February] but generally everything is delayed by about 3-4 weeks because of the cold weather. the hope is that once spring arrives, it'll be more spectacular than usual as everything will come out together.

here's hoping that applies to the south-east too.

Ann ~ by the way I do think we are going to eat at The George and the Dragon in Speldhurst when we stay at Starborough Manor ~ apparently about 20 minutes away. Really looking forward to it. Thanks!

2 weeks from right now, we will be there!

wrenwood - I hope you have a fabulous time.

regards, ann