Press Release 

3 March 2019

Discover Kent with a Visit to the Seven Wonders of the Weald

The Seven Wonders of the Weald tourism partnership is looking forward to inspiring visitors to come and visit all these delightful attractions this year:  Knole, Chiddingstone Castle, Scotney Castle, Hole Park, Kent & East Sussex Railway, Biddenden Vineyards and the Spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

New Itineraries have been added to the website for 2019 including the best places to take your dog when visiting the Seven Wonders of the Weald and where to enjoy the best cream teas.

The partnership will continue to offer a fantastic value pass in 2019 which allows one free visit to all the attractions for just £30.  The pass can be used at any time in the 12 months after purchase and can be obtained from www.sevenwonders.org.uk

The pass is also available to purchase from the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, Chiddingstone Castle and Biddenden Vineyards. 

The Seven Wonders of the Weald website also has details of events taking place at the attractions.

The Wonders are:

Chiddingstone Castle:  Chiddingstone Castle is home to five impressive collections of art and antiquities which are the lifetime’s work by one gifted collector, Denys Eyre Bower. These collections are displayed throughout the historic house, which was his home from 1955 to 1977. The Castle holds a number of popular events including an annual Literary Festival which this year takes place between Saturday 4 and Tuesday 7 May 2019.  www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

Knole: Sitting proudly within Kent’s last medieval deer park, Knole offers something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the vast estate and follow in the footsteps of tourists who have visited Knole’s showrooms for 400 years.  Originally built as an archbishop’s palace, Knole passed through royalty to the Sackville family, who still live here today. Take in the scale and magnificence of this 600 year old estate by exploring the grand courtyards and tranquil Orangery or wander the winding paths in the parkland, still populated by wild deer.  Knole’s often-forgotten domestic attics will be open to visitors for the first time in 2019. Behind the scenes attic tours are now available to book.  During the 45-minute-long tours, knowledgeable guides will reveal the stories behind these fascinating spaces.  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole

Biddenden Vineyards: Established in 1969, Biddenden Vineyards owns Kent’s original commercial vineyard, producing award-winning wines, ciders and juices. The Vineyard runs charity guided tours, private guided tours, group tours, as well as having marked routes for you to explore.  www.biddendenvineyards.com

Scotney Castle: Scotney Castle: Owned and maintained by the National Trust, Scotney Castle is set within 780 acres of traditional Wealden landscape. A country house sits overlooking picturesque, landscaped gardens complete with a romantic folly castle. Visitors can enjoy a light lunch, fresh cakes and even a scone of the month in the coach house tearoom, the shop is always worth a visit for local produce, home wares and plants. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle

Royal Tunbridge Wells: Royal Tunbridge Wells: The historic spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells has welcomed visitors for over 400 years. Browse among the chic independent shops of the colonnaded Pantiles and High Street, with many lively cafes and bars.  There are two theatres Trinity and the Assembly Hall Theatre in town and several award-winning parks and green spaces.  The Spa Valley Railway is just a five-minute walk from the pantiles and operates steam and heritage diesel trains from Tunbridge Wells West to Eridge with stops at Groombridge and High Rocks. www.visittunbridgewells.com/

Hole Park:  Hole Park has been owned by the Barham family for the past four generations and is set in over 200 acres of superb classic parkland. The colourful award-winning gardens enjoy far reaching views over the hills, woods and fields of the picturesque Kentish Weald. The gardens will hold their annual Bluebell Spectacular between 15 April and 10 May 2019.  www.holepark.com

Kent & East Sussex Railway:  Steam through beautiful countryside on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, recognised as both the country’s finest and first example of a rural light railway. The main station is in the charming town of Tenterden where you can buy your tickets and learn about the history of the railway before stepping aboard a preserved steam or diesel train to travel a route that’s been used for more than a century, terminating in the shadow of the magnificent National Trust Castle at Bodiam. www.kesr.org.uk