Town Profile 


Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson, a diplomat and author, the gardens at Sissinghurst Castle surround the ruins of an Elizabethan house and are an inspiration to gardeners worldwide. The couple began transforming the site in the 1930s, planting a series of garden “rooms” around an historic tower which offers panoramic views from the top. The gardens are stunning at any time but in July the roses are especially gorgeous.


Smugglers' trail The history of the picturesque village of Hawkhurst is indelibly linked with a notorious band of smugglers who terrorised the area in the 1700s. The Hawkhurst Gang made their headquarters at the Oak and Ivy Inn, a still thriving pub in the village and were feared for miles around. The gang was routed at the Battle of Goudhurst in 1747 when its residents formed a militia to defend their homes. Nowadays, Hawkhurst is a peaceful place with a pretty colonnade of shops in the centre and weatherboarded houses surrounding the old village green near the parish church of St Lawrence.


Maids of Kent Visit Biddenden to


see one of the prettiest high streets in England with a row of latticed windowed Flemish weavers' cottages and mellow stonework. The unusual sign on the village green portrays the Biddenden maids - twins born in 1100 who were joined at the shoulders and hips. The sisters lived in


Biddenden Vineyards


this condition for 34 years until one of them died and the other followed shortly after. According to tradition, they were great benefactors to the parish, bequeathing land which provided an income to help the poor. Their story is remembered through “Biddenden Biscuits” which depict the two sisters and are distributed once a year.


Head for Headcorn Situated on the old A274 Tenterden to Maidstone road, this long village grew to prosperity through wool and weaving as evidenced by the Old Cloth Hall. There are several beautiful old buildings clustered around the parish church and a good range of shops and pubs. The remains of the Headcorn Oak are


near the parish church. Estimates of its age range from 500 to 1,200 years old. It was burned to a stump in April 1989 but continued to produce new growth until July 1993. A plaque records that King John (1199- 1216) sat under the tree to watch bull-baiting. A base for World War II pilots,


Headcorn Airfield is still thriving as a centre for light aircraft and parachuting. The skydivers who flock there at weekends raise vital funds for charities through sponsorship.


Goudhurst Also nearby is Staplehurst Nurseries, Sissinghurst Castle


Growing delight If you're a foodie or a gardener - or both - make a beeline to Stapleurst where Iden Croft Nurseries has a series of themed gardens providing ideas and


Discover the Seven Wonders of the Weald


The seven wonders are a collection of unique places to visit, mostly a short drive away from each other, so you can discover and enjoy more than one in a day. The elegant spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, fairy tale Scotney Castle set in 770 acres of woods


and parkland at Lamberhurst, and moated Groombridge Place at Groombridge are the latest to become “Wonders of the Weald”. This galaxy of star attractions is completed by Biddenden Vineyards where visitors can walk through the vines and enjoy tasting wines, ciders and juices; Chiddingstone Castle and Gardens – a stunning country house near Edenbridge with a collection of exotic antiques; Kent and East Sussex Railway, and Marle Place Gardens and Gallery which features land art and sculptures. All offer a great value day out and are perfect for group excursions with special offers and events. The group has


created an attractions visitor pass for £25 which is valid for a year and offers big savings on admission prices. For more information, visit sevenwonders.org.uk


Mid Kent Living 17


a commercial nursery where you can buy direct from the grower, then call at Frankie's Farmshop and enjoy fresh home-cooked food. For more information on places to go, visit www.visitkent.co.uk


inspiration. The gardens came into being about 40 years ago in the derelict kitchen gardens of Staplehurst Manor with the aim of showing how herbs can be grown in gardens and borders as well as a more formal herb garden setting. The nursery has a large collection of culinary and medical herbs as well as other unusual plants.


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