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Two Kent gardens nominated for prestigious award

Hsin-Yi Lo
BBC News, South East
Hole Park Gardens/Penshurst Place and Garden There are two photos of two gardens. On the left, there is a stately home and with a large garden and some agapanthuses and a stone statue sitting on a pond. The photo on the right shows a stately home, with a hedge with a combination of pink and white flowers. There is also a white rose bush in front of the hedge.Hole Park Gardens/Penshurst Place and Garden
Hole Park Gardens and Penshurst Place and Gardens are finalists in the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award

Two gardens in Kent have been nominated for a prestigious award.

Hole Park Gardens in Cranbrook and Penshurst Place and Gardens in Tonbridge have been shortlisted for the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Awards 2025.

The national accolade, founded in 1984, celebrates Britain's most spectacular gardens, with the winner decided by public vote.

Representatives from the two gardens are calling on the public to support them.

Stuart Kirk/Hole Park Gardens A trail which has a row of blue bell flowers on each side. There are also trees in the woodland. Stuart Kirk/Hole Park Gardens
Hole Park Gardens is famous for its Blue Bell Woods

A spokesperson for Hole Park Gardens said it was the first time the gardens had been shortlisted.

"It's an honour to be a finalist but we would love to lift the title. So, whether you are a regular visitor or a new one, we would love it if you could give us your vote," they said.

Hole Park Gardens was purchased by Col Arthur Barham in 1911, before he opened the space to the public in 1927 to "share the beauty of the gardens".

Hole Park Gardens A park with green grass trees, a pond and some artistic-looking trees.Hole Park Gardens
Hole Park Gardens has been owned by the Barham family since 1911

Penshurst Place and Gardens has been owned by the Sidney family since 1552, and it was once used as a hunting lodge by Henry VIII.

It is famous for its 100m-long (328ft) peony border, a Union Flag Garden which uses roses and lavenders to create the flag, and the Jubilee Walk, which was designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist George Carter.

Penshurst Place was previously shortlisted for the award in 2021, but lost out to Gordon Castle Walled Garden in Scotland.

Penshurst Place and Gardens A stately home with pink roses and lavenders in front. There is also a small stairway which leads to a garden.Penshurst Place and Gardens
Penshurst Place and Gardens has been owned by the Sidney family since 1552

Arundel Castle Gardens, in West Sussex, has also been nominated as a finalist for the Garden of the Year Awards 2025.

The other competitors are:

  • Hestercombe Gardens, Somerset
  • Iford Manor Gardens, Wiltshire
  • Lowther Castle, Cumbria
  • Raby Castle Park and Gardens, Durham
  • Wollerton Old Hall Garden, Shropshire

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