GROOMBRIDGE PLACE AND THE ENCHANTED FOREST Experience magic and mystery, history and romance at these beautiful award winning gardens – such an unusual mix of traditional 17th century walled gardens combined with the excitement, challenge and contemporary landscaping of the Enchanted Forest – appealing to young and old alike!

BEWL WATER Beautiful lake and country park. Watersports, fly fishing, walks and rides, boat trips, visitor centre, restaurant and conference facilities. Summer events.

FRANT LAKES FISHERY Frant Lakes Fishery offers coarse fishing on eight lakes, three ponds and a stretch of the River Teise.The fishery boasts just about every British coarse fish that swims and all eight lakes hold carp to over 20lb

PASHLEY MANOR ‘One of the finest gardens in England’ Pashley Manor Gardens offers a sumptuous blend of romantic landscaping, imaginative plantings and fine old trees, fountains, springs and large ponds.

Whatever month you choose to visit there is something to delight the senses. Through April to May the various fruit trees blossom, bluebells carpet the woodland, the magnificent wisteria cascades down the rear of the Manor house and there are thousands of tulips throughout the gardens. June is fragrant with roses and lavender while in July the scent of sweet peas and the heady fragrance of lilies begin to perfume the air. The Kitchen Garden provides for the house and cafe throughout the season and is at its most bountiful in mid-summer. Summer bedding plants continue through August, then the hot borders come into their own with dahilas, cannas and asters amongst the many late flowering herbaceous perennials.

Pashley prides itself on its delicious homemade food which visitors can enjoy in the Garden Room Cafe with Terrace. The new gift shop caters for every taste from postcards and local honey to traditional hand painted ceramics and tapestry cushions.
An exciting programme of events for 2011 includes the Tulip Festival from 27 April every day to 8 May; Sculpture in Particular from 21st May every day until 30 May; Special Rose Weekend from 17 – 19 June; Kitchen Garden Weekend from 24 – 26 June; Lily Time from mid-July to mid-August; and the Sussex Guild Craft Show from 27 – 29 August.

SCOTNEY CASTLE Victorian country house and ruined 14th century moated castle set in one of England’s most romantic ‘picturesque’ style gardens surrounded by a beautiful wooded estate. The estate is open all year offering a variety of walks through parkland, woodland and farmland.

BATEMANS This 17thC Sussex Ironmaster’s house, built in a Wealden valley, was the home of writer Rudyard Kipling from 1902 to 1936. Rooms used by Kipling can be seen, including his study which is exactly as it was when he wrote Puck of Pooks Hill and other books and poems here. Kipling’s Rolls Royce car is also on display. The garden contains a working watermill, grinding corn for wholemeal flour sold from the mill and reputedly one of the world’s oldest working water-driven turbines. Concerts and other events take place.

SPA VALLEY RAILWAY Take a trip by steam train from the historic town of Royal Tunbridge Wells to the impressive High Rocks, Groombridge and new for 2011, Eridge. Joint tickets available with Groombridge Place Gardens. Special events throughout the year including ‘A Day out with Thomas’

DUNORLAN PARK Dunorlan is spacious and elegant with wide grassy slopes and magnificent views to the Weald. Boating lake and cafe. Boats can be hired from two weeks before Easter until the end of October.

MARLE PLACE GARDENS AND GALLERY These peaceful and privately owned gardens, first created in 1890, are the exceptional result of generations of careful attention. Ten acres of enchantment where scented and unusual plants blend with art creating magical surprises at every turn. Woodland walks, Victorian orchid house, Edwardian rockery, contemporary art gallery. Tea and homemade cake. September sculpture show.

BODIAM CASTLE Built in 1385, by Sir Edward Dallyngrigge, Bodiam Castle is set in open parkland and approached through a series of medieval water features, including a picturesque spring- filled moat. Appearing almost complete from outside, inside the extent of the damage incurred over the years becomes evident. However it is easy to imagine how this once grand home would have been, with its chapel, Sir Edward’s family quarters, Great Hall and Great Kitchen. An investigation of the towers gives access to the roof and wonderful views of the Rother Valley.

The top favourite amongst guests at the moment seems to be The Curlew at Bodiam  www.thecurlewrestaurant.co.uk/

Other good pubs include:

The Middle House in Mayfield  www.middlehousemayfield.co.uk and The Old Vine in Cousley Wood  www.oldvine.co.uk/