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Please use the following format and info on your own site to link to your page in Gardens-Guide.com: at Gardens-Guide.com http://www.gardens-guide.com The premiere directory of open gardens in the UK and Ireland today Ask your friends and suppliers as well to link to your page in Gardens-Guide as well. Every link we get into your page helps rankings for both of us in search engines. **************************************************************** **************************************************************** **************************************************************** Garden Name: Groombridge Place Last Modified: 24-01-2011 Garden ID: 0336 pic: 0336_groombridge.jpg NOTE: If this says "missing", then please send us a picture for your page which is at least 1000 x 1000 pixels in size. Thanks! Owner: Jocelyn Kennard Address: Groombridge Tunbridge Wells Postcode: TN3 9QG County: Kent tel: 01892 861444 fax: 01892-863996 website: www.groombridge.co.uk email: office //at// groombridge.co.uk English Heritage Grade: Opening Times: NOTE for 2012: Please check with garden owners or their website to confirm current dates open http://www.groombridge.co.uk 2nd -3rd Apr (Mothering Sun); 26th Mar - 5th Nov; every day; 10am - 5.30pm (or dusk if earlier). Best Times of Year to Visit: To see: National Collection: National Garden Scheme days: No Comments: Parties / Coaches: Yes Comments: For groups of 12 or more if pre-booked. Viewing by Appointment: Yes Comments: House Open for Viewing: No Comments: Admission Prices: (2010 Prices) Adults £8.95; Child (3-12) £7.45; Over 60s £7.45; Family (2A + 2C) £29.95; Season tickets available. Canal Boat cost £1pp. Prices are subject to a 50p per person increase on special event days. Groups: Adults £7.25; Over 60s £6.25; Over 60s -Peak (July & Aug) £5.50; Child (3-12) £5.50 Guided tours (pre-booked) for 12 or more people take one hour @£30 Parking: Yes Lavatories: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Shop: Yes Plants for Sale: Yes Lunches: Yes Teas: Yes Refreshments: Yes Picnics: Yes Dogs allowed: No Only on Lead: No Events: Yes Other Facilities: Features: Enchanted Forest - voted Visitor Attraction of the Year. Birds of Prey displays twice a day and features the Raptor Centre. Canal Boat cruise to and from the Enchanted Forest Spa Valley Railway steam train stop is 10 minutes walk from the gardens. Designer: John Evelyn Description of Garden: Groombridge is known as a beautiful, peaceful garden retaining a sense of history, romance and intrigue whilst providing an exciting modern landscaping of ancient woodland for the Enchanted Forest, designed to appeal to young and old alike. The gardens are laid out on a south-facing slope with a backdrop of a medieval moat and surrounding a classical Restoration manor house. They are designed as rooms and include the lovely White Rose Garden with over 20 varieties of white roses and the Secret Garden with deep shade and cooling waters in a tiny hidden corner. Visitors will also be fascinated by the Oriental Garden with its Paradise Walk, the Knot Garden and Nut Walk and not least the Drunken Garden with its crazy topiary. Planting is designed to offer colour and interest from Spring to Autumn. In complete contrast on a high hillside above the walled gardens and estate vineyard is the Enchanted Forest, designed by Ivan Hicks to challenge the imagination. Children love the Dark Walk, Tree Fern Valley, Village of the Groms, Serpent's Lair and Mystic Pool. There are also the Romany Camp, Double Spiral and Giants' Swing Walk. History: Originally laid out in 1694 with help from John Evelyn, the diarist and horticulturist, the gardens have survived almost intact with the 12 pairs of drum yews - The Twelve Apostles - believed to be original. Local Inns: Hare, Langton Green Sussex Oak, Blackham Dorset Arms, Withyham Accomodation: Danehurst House, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells Restaurants: The Tagore, Tunbridge Wells Village/Town/Sightseeing: Royal Tunbridge Wells