Spring 2013 arrived fashionably late. This was convenient for us, as we’d been travelling in Bhutan during the prime time for camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas at home. One of the highlights on our return was a visit to Sandling Park, Kent, which opens just once a year in aid of Pilgrim’s Hospices.  

Sandling’s gardens are extensive, home to 20 national champion trees and 200 wild-sourced specimens which retain their original collectors’ numbers. In May Sandling is a feast for the eyes, decked out with lipstick-pink camellias, blushing magnolias, dazzling rhododendrons and a sizzling display of azaleas. There is nowhere else quite like it in this part of Kent, and well worth taking the trouble to visit.  You will leave as one of the privileged few to experience this special garden each year.

There is a lot to see, so give yourself a couple of hours to complete the full circuit of the grounds, which is about a mile long.  Revive yourself at the end of your visit with a nice cup of tea or some retail therapy at the plant stall.

This year’s opening is Sunday 11th May, 10 am – 5pm.  Admission £4.

The garden is situated 1½ miles NW of Hythe. Entrance from the A20 only. From M20 J11 turn east onto A20. Entrance ¼ mile.  There is ample free parking but wheelchair access to the garden is very limited.

Find out more on the Pilgrim’s Hospice website

Read about our visit to Sandling Park in 2013

Over the next couple of weekends, two of Kent’s most beautiful and enigmatic gardens will be opening their gates to the curious public. Both reveal their secrets on just one day each year, so are a must if you are in the county and love to visit special places.

Kurume azaleas at Sandling Park

The first of our Kentish Belles is medieval Saltwood Castle near Hythe, home of the late Alan Clark MP, opening to raise funds for the NSPCC. This year’s date is Saturday May 3rd. Saltwood is everything one could want of an English castle; there’s a foreboding keep, crumbling walls wreathed in roses, dungeons and a ruined chapel. If you fancy going the whole hog, archery lessons are offered in the moat, which is thankfully now dry. There are always excellent plants on offer as well as art, pottery and artisan foods for sale. Shelter and other creature comforts are limited as this is a private home for 364 days of the year, so bring a coat, umbrella and an empty car boot for all your purchases. It’s a popular event come rain or shine. You can read more about last year’s open day here and get opening and entrance details from the NSPCC website.

Plant sales at last year’s Saltwood Castle open day

Only a stone’s throw away is Sandling Park, which opens on Sunday May 11th for Pilgrims Hospices. This year promises to be a vintage year for blooms, following a mild start to spring. If, like me, you love the unashamed exuberance of rhododendrons and azaleas you will love Sandling Park. There are some very choice rhododendrons, grown to perfection amongst a remarkable number of champion trees, and a second-to-none collection of deciduous azaleas. Last year was so cold that they were barely in flower in early May, so this year should offer a very different experience. Find out more about my visit to Sandling Park last year and more details on Pilgrims Hospices own website.

More of Sandling Park’s incredible azaleas