We will leaving Sandwich to spend 3 nights in a nice town to be in and travel out of before leaving from Gatwick. We will looking at gardens, antiqueing and touring with our own car. Any suggestions for that wonderful spot?

One possibility is the little ton of Tonbridge, near Knole; the Rose and Crown Inn is very pleasant.

I would suggest Suffolk - a beautiful county of England that would tick all your boxes. For your wonderful spot I would suggest Lavenham - have a look at www.lavenham.co.uk. I would stay at The Swan or the Priory! You are a few minutes drive from Long Melford - picturesque village lined with antiques shops. If Lavenham is too small (it's a large village rather than a town) then maybe stay in Bury St Edmunds. Suffolk is full of gorgeous villages, medieval churches, Stately homes.gardens, some lovely coastline - and it is always overlooked by tourists. It is in easy reach of London/Gatwick.
I was born and raised in Suffolk and am happy to answer any questions.

Sssh, don't tell them about Suffolk.
I'm always surprised how few foreign tourists you get in East Anglia generally. It is just as chocolate box pretty as the Cotswolds, but nothing like as crowded.
Personally, I'd hate to see all those lovely villages clogged with tourist buses.
I hear that the dreaded Rick Stein has discovered Gordon's Wine Bar in London. Bang goes another of MY places.

Lol Miss Prism, well I did debate before I mentioned Suffolk, but classy Fodors tourists are ok! There was just something about the original poster's question that made me think 'they'd love and appreciate Suffolk'.
I suppose East Anglia isn't really on the way to anywhere, which is why it is overlooked by tourism. The Cotswolds leave me unmoved compared to Suffolk - I hate all that bus tour, forced Ye Olde Tea Shoppe stuff.
But I promise I will be careful in future about mentioning the S word.
M

Suffolk sounds intriguing but it looks like a long way from there back to Gatwick. Is it truly as "chocolate box pretty" as the Cotswolds because we do love that area but have been 4 or 5 times?

I agree, Suffolk IS wonderful - but I don't think it is very practical in your situation. The M25 back around London can be a nightmare.

There are sooooooo many wonderful gardens in Kent and east Sussex, and you would be a short/easy drive from LGW.

I'd probably base myself in/near Tonbridge, Cranbrook or one of the villages surrounding Bewl water. From any of these places you would be w/i a short drive of Sissinghurst, Scotney Castle Garden, Chartwell, Hever Castle/Gardens and a LOT of other really beautiful sites.

Have a look at these pictures of Kersey but don't let Rick Stein see them.

http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk/kersey1.html

There is a little brook running through the village and "Beware of ducks" signs.

Whoops, you can tell Rick Stein but he knows already, having visited most good fishy places.
It's the dreaded Steves that you mustn't tell.
There are more Kersey pictures at http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk/kersey.html
and more on Suffolk at http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk/suffolk.html

Norfolk is also very picturesque.

Suffolk is obviously further away than Kent/Sussex etc but if you have 3 nights then I think it is worth it. Yes, a lot of Suffolk is just as picturesque as the Cotswolds, if not more so. Suffolk is famous for its Suffolk Pink (very pale pink) beamed houses with thatched roofs, many hundreds of years old. These houses, clustered around a village green with a magnificent medieval church next to them are superb. The churches in Suffolk (and Norfolk) are wonderful - tiny villages often have a huge, beautiful medieval church in them, built from the massive proceeds of the wool trade.
I don't think Suffolk can compete with SW England in its gardens, but to me Suffolk is all about exploring and discovering without other hordes of tourists. And a crawl around the M25 is well worth 3 nights in such an unspoilt area.

Thank you for your comments. If we stay in a hotel in Bury St Edmunds, what would you suggest?

Hi
The Angel Hotel. www.theangel.co.uk
Charles Dickens stayed here and mentions it in Pickwick Papers. It has the most perfect location - on Angel Hill, overlooking the Abbey Gardens and Cathedral, and it is a gorgeous looking building inside and out. The Hotel dates back to the 1450's! It's not cheap and I would check on parking - I seem to recall it DOES have courtyard parking but not lots of it.
I also hear good reports about The Chantry Hotel, Sparhawk Street, BSE (also centrally located but nowhere near such a wonderful position as The Angel). Sorry, but I can't find a website for this hotel.
Northgate House (www.northgatehouse.com) is a very highly rated B and B. Do have a look at the comments posted on www.tripadvisor.com
M

Meant to add - I helped another traveller with a Suffolk itinerary last year, plus other posters gave some good suggestions. If you do decide on Suffolk have a look at the thread 'Lavenham/Suffolk area or Cotswolds or Both?' for further info.
M

Bury St. Edmunds within easy reach of Gatwick? Only as the crow flies. With traffic on the M25 and the A134,you're not exactly on the fast track to Gatwick. Bury is wonderful and the Angel Hotel one of the best, but I'd opt for Janis' or Underhill's suggestion and stay in Kent, especially if you are interested in gardens as this area has some of the best in England. I certainly don't remember seeing many in Suffolk and antiqueing can be done almost anywhere in England. Best of Luck

I have never stated that Bury St Edmunds is 'within easy reach of Gatwick', or indeed that the original poster asked to be in 'easy reach'. I think with 3 nights to play around with he is easily able to spread his wings a little. There is no 'right' answer to his question, but as I am 'Suffolk born and bred' I thought it nice to bring this neglected (by tourists) area to his attention.