Doddington Place Gardens

Doddington Place Gardens is surrounded by wooded is surrounded by wooded countryside in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the North Downs.

"As the shadows lengthen across the lawns at Doddington Place, one could be transported back 100 years'  Kent Life. 

" Sublime Doddington"  A.N. Wilson in the Evening Standard. 

The lovely landscaped gardens, recognised of being of historical importance by English Heritage, are set in the grounds of an imposing Victorian mansion and cover ten acres.

The gardens have been open in aid of the National Gardens Scheme for more than fifty years. There is a notable woodland garden – spectacular in May and June - which includes many different varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas; also a large Edwardian rock garden with pools, a formal sunk garden with herbaceous borders, and a flint and brick folly.

Extensive lawns and avenues are framed by impressive clipped yew hedges and many fine trees.

The garden has featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles and twice on TV in Country Ways. It has also been the scene of episodes in the television series Perfect Scoundrels (with Peter Bowles) and Great Houses Cookery (with Michael Barry). Part of the film Waterland, starring Jeremy Irons and Natasha Richardson, was filmed here. 

Of interest

There is a birds of prey flying demonstration at 3pm, with the chance to see Hawks, Owls, and Falcons in action.
 
Lunches and delicious cream teas are available all day in the tea room, and visitors can also choose to enjoy their afternoon refreshments relaxing on the lawns on one of the picnic rugs supplied to visiting guests.

Events for 2012 

1st April               NGS Day
8th April               Easter Family Funday with Egg Hunt
15th April             Creepy Crawlies
29th April             Archery
 
6th May                 Farmer’s Market & Riddles Day
                             Amicia Oldfield – talk on Doddington Life
7th May                 Riddles Day                       
13th May                Have A Go Falconry
20th May                NGS Day
 
3rd June                Farmer’s Market & Diamond Jubilee
4th & 5th June       Diamond Jubilee Fundays
17th June               Archery
                              Amicia Oldfield – talk on Doddington Life
24th June               Jazz in the Gardens
 
1st July                   Farmer’s Market
15th July                Have A Go Falconry
22nd July                NGS Day
29th July                 Jazz in the Gardens
 
5th August                Farmer’s Market
19th August               Creepy Crawlies
26th & 27th August    Family Fundays
 
2nd September           Farmer’s Market
9th September            Archery
16th September          Have A Go Falconry
                                   Amicia Oldfield – talk on Doddington Life
23rd September          NGS Day
 
The gardens in the summer are breathtaking and offer visitors a rare opportunity to relax and enjoy the tranquility of a day from the stresses of everyday life, and there is something for all the family to enjoy.