Luxurious borders and ‘ever-hopeful’ Labradors


For four generations, the Barham family have lovingly cared for Hole Park’s 16-acre garden and 10 acres of woodland near Rolvenden...


Such is Hole Park’s appeal, it was given the accolade of Visit Kent’s Garden of the Year last year and the management of the site pride themselves on continually introducing new projects. Hole Park is a 200-acre expanse of


classic English parkland, but it has become a must-see experience for lovers of gardens, attracted by the lush herbaceous summer borders, sunlit meadows, camellias, wisterias, yew hedges, great yellow washes of daffodils or bluebell carpets. All this and a view over the Weald of


Kent and homemade fare in the Coach House tea rooms. This is a haven of tranquillity, a place


to get lost in or be immersed by the sheer love invested in this relatively small plot. It also oozes informality when the Barham family are around with their, as they put it, “ever-hopeful” Labradors. They delight in the notion that visitors


are merely acquaintances popping in for a nose about, rather than being paying visitors. This year, there has been much activity in planting new borders and making modifications to the Egg Pond. Edward Barham (54) has lived at Hole


Park all his life, and has shared it with wife Clare for their 27 years of marriage. Their three grown-up children were


brought up in these idyllic surroundings. This year is the 90th anniversary —


give or take interruptions for the World War II — of Hole Park’s gardens being opened up to the public. Edward says: “We have four gardeners


working on the gardens, doing the equivalent of three full-time jobs, to keep it looking the way it does. “People come to Hole Park and look


All openings 11am to 6pm.


Summer (Wednesdays and Thursdays) June 14 to October 31


Autumn (Sundays)


October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 Admission:


Adults £7, children (5-18 years) £1. 18 Mid Kent Living Contact: Hole Park on 01580 241344 / 07976 241794 or info@holepark.com www.holepark.com


Groups: Group visits are available on any date by appointment. Conducted tours of the gardens by the owner or head gardener. Prior booking is essential.


Directions: Hole Park is situated four miles west of Tenterden on the B2086, between Rolvenden and Benenden.


Hole Park images © Visit Kent


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