Historic Houses
Great Dixter House and Gardens (4.7 miles. A perfect visit for garden lovers.)
The original house at Dixter, which dates from the mid 15th century,
was acquired by a businessman named Nathaniel Lloyd in 1909. He had a
16th century house in a similar style moved from Kent and the two were
combined with new work by the architect Edwin Lutyens to create a much
larger house, which was re-christened Great Dixter. It is a romantic
recreation of a medieval manor house, complete with great hall,
parlour, solar and yeoman’s hall. The garden is in the arts and crafts
style with profuse, structured planting that features many bold
experiments of form, colour and combination.
www.greatdixter.co.uk/
Sissinghurst Castle / Gardens (15.6 miles)
One of the world's most celebrated gardens, Sissinghurst was the creation of Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson. Individual gardens with their colourful floral displays and romantic little compartments make up the garden richness in the intimate setting of the grounds of this Elizabethan mansion. The lakeside and woodland walks are open all year presenting you with lovely unspoilt views of the Wealden countryside.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-sissinghurstcastlegarden/
Batemans (17.4 miles. An intriguing insight into the life of Ruyard Kipling.)
Batemans is a Jacobean house that was once the home of Rudyard Kipling. It has been left just as he left it, reflecting the author’s exotic oriental tastes. The delightful gardens run down to the River Dudwell where there is a working watermill. There’s even the opportunity to see Kipling’s 1928 Phantom 1 Rolls-Royce.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-batemans/