Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden, Kent opened for the new season on Friday 1 April 2022 where visitors can enjoy a garden full of glorious spring colour. Visitors can also bring their dogs to the gardens but please keep them on a short lead.
In early April, follow the paths past the impressive spring borders, mature magnolia trees, camelias and wildflower meadows. Don’t miss the bear family carved out of a fallen tree on your way through to the pretty woodland full of narcissi, primroses and blue scillas. A circular walk through the ancient woodland leads visitors to a renovated solar powered icehouse before winding its way back to the main gardens and the tearooms.
The gardens are one of the best places to see Bluebells in Kent and the ‘Bluebell Spectacular’ is usually at its best from mid-April to mid-May, when visitors can admire one of nature’s truly impressive shows. The Hole Park website will have a bluebell barometer with updates on when the bluebells are at their peak.
The Hole Park estate sits quietly in the Wealden countryside in Rolvenden. The extensive gardens cover 16-acres with an additional 10 acres of beautiful ancient woodlands. The gardens are laid out in a series of rooms divided by immaculately trimmed yew hedges. Round every corner there are surprises including sculptures and water features and a pretty sundial garden with a wooden bench and interesting viewing window cut out of the yew hedge. The gardens are always a relaxing oasis where you can observe nature and listen to bird song.
The gardens and tearooms are open daily from 1 April to 30 June before opening on Wednesdays and Thursday until the end of October. The gardens will also be open on Sundays in October for autumn colour. Opening hours are 11am to 6pm.
Hole Park is a family-owned estate which has been in the Barham family for the past four generations. Formalised gardens combine with natural woodland. These extensive gardens were developed, laid out and planted by Colonel Barham, the great-grandfather of the present owner, in the years between the two World Wars.
A circular network of hard paths enables visitors of all ages, including those who require a wheelchair, to enjoy the gardens. Wheelchairs may be reserved free of charge and there are full disability WC facilities.
Light lunches and delicious homemade cakes are available in the coach house where apple juice, local beer and homemade jam and honey produced from the fruit and bees on the Hole Park Estate can be purchased. There is also a small plant stall next to the coach house.
Admission: £10 for adults and £2.50 for children (5 to 16). The gardens are open 11am to 6pm.
Adult Season ticket £28 each. Child Season Ticket £8.
Dogs on leads are welcome when gardens are open.
Groups can request a Guided Garden Tour for £3.50pp (£50 minimum fee applies)
Group visits available any time by arrangement. Please email [email protected]
There is a dedicated tearoom for groups, free parking for cars and coaches and conducted tours can also be arranged for groups by prior arrangement.
Hole Park is situated 4 miles west of Tenterden on the B2086 between Rolvenden and Benenden.
Group enquiries to [email protected] 01580 241 344.
There is an option to book tickets in advance, but walk-up tickets will still be available on the day.
For further information about Hole Park or to book tickets in advance visit www.holepark.com
Hole Park is one of the Seven Wonders of the Weald www.sevenwonders.org.uk
