am planning 2 days in kent area (staying 2 nights in rye) in mid-june and want to see great gardens. we're returning to sissinghurst, which i love, probably hever as well, and thought of adding scotney castle gardens and great dixter. (i've been to great comp and don't even remember it, so it obviously didn't make a big impression.) any comments on these gardens or suggestions of others in the area you found wonderful that we should consider? many thanks.

I loved Scotney Castle Garden when I was there four years ago and plan on returning this summer. I would definitely recommend it. In that area I also enjoyed Beachy Head and the ruin of Pevensey Castle. We will also be based in Rye for a few days in July. Have a great trip.

We have just returned - very much enjoyed Penshurst Palace including gardens, and Bateman's, home of Rudyard Kipling - quite a contrast between the two of them. On previous trips we enjoyed gardens at Knole - Vita actually grew up there and Chartwell, gardens in which Churchill painted. Have fun.

I would second all the recommendations above. As you only have two days then I guess you have to be pretty selective. The National Trust website is at www.nationaltrust.org, and will help you with the somewhat irregular opening times. It sounds like you are more into flower gardens as opposed to lanscape ones, but I would definitely recommend Scotney Castle - a beautiful ruined castle in a valley surrounded by moat and lots of specimen trees etc. Make sure you get to Sissinghurst early to avoid the crowds as it is very overcrowded. Also check out quaint villages like Biddenden and Winchelsea. Bodiam Castle (not a garden)is nearby as is Ashdown Forest (famous for Winnie the Pooh!) and Sheffield Park Garden - five lakes, amazing trees and shrubs. The website bove should help. I would personally make a visit to Scotney and Sheffield Park, esp as a contrast to the smaller gardens. <BR>

thanks, alex. i forgot about sheffield--i meant to ask about it. good to hear a first-person on it.

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Candy - just to say that Sheffield Park Garden should still be really nice in mid-June. The rhododendrons will prob just be finishing but there will still be lots of colour. My favourite time of year in end Oct/early Nov when the autumn (fall) colours are spectacular (though not as good since the storm of 1987). You can also visit Sheffield Park station and ride the old steam trains on the Bluebell Line just 1/2 mile from the garden. <BR> <BR>I was at Scotney three weeks ago and the colours of the azaleas from the bastion terrace over the valley and the castle were also amazing. By the time you visit the old roses over the castle should be coming out. Hope the sun shines (check www.bbc.co.uk/weather for five day forecasts for the UK) and remember to check the national trust website for the opening times - nothing worse than turning up if its closed. <BR> <BR>In Rye you could also visit the former home of Henry James in West Street (near the town centre/church) which is small but charming as is its garden.

thanks again, alex. you can bet i'll go armed with directions, open/close times, etc. with 2 days to see gardens, i'd have to be an idiot to take any chances i could avoid! can't wait. anybody else have any other kent/sussex garden recommendations? thanks.

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I was in Kent during the last week of May. I loved Sissinghurst, Hever Castle, and Scotney Castle Gardens. Knole is only open the first Wed of the month, so I missed it. I skipped Great Dixter because I used public transportation which seemed too challenging. I was disappointed in Penshurst. Some of the gardens in East Sussex sounded wonderful, but I didn't get to them. I also enjoyed Parham Park in West Sussex.

You must visit Hever Castle. A MUST. Its so lovely.