The Seven Wonders of the Weald Annual Pass

New Annual Attraction Pass to
The Seven Wonders of the Weald

Spring and Summer are a wonderful time to visit the Seven Wonders of the Weald which showcases some of the South East’s best loved attractions. The Wonders include beautiful gardens, stately homes and castles, a steam railway and a working vineyard.

The historic Penshurst Place and Gardens is the latest attraction to become a Wonder of the Weald and sits alongside Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Marle Place Gardens & Gallery, Biddenden Vineyards, Merriments Gardens, Kent & East Sussex Railway, Chiddingstone Castle & Gardens.

All the attractions offer a great value day out and with a new 2012 individual attraction pass everyone can enjoy one free entry to all the attractions for just £25. Passes are available to purchase on the Seven Wonders website www.sevenwonders.org.uk or from Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Biddenden Vineyards, Merriments Gardens, at The Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone or Ashford Tourist Information Centres or over the telephone by calling 01892 515675.

The wonders are: 

Marle Place Gardens & Gallery
Open every day except Thursday until 2 October 2012. The ten acre privately owned gardens have been cared for and enlarged by the owners over 40 years.  The gardens are a mass of blossom and bulbs in spring with many surprising features to captivate and delight the visitor including statues, a unique mosaic terrace and pretty Victorian gazebo.  A beautifully restored C19th greenhouse is home to a colourful orchid collection. 

Glorious fresh spring colour is followed by the scent and abundance of midsummer shrub roses, annuals and perennials. Autumn’s spectacular leaf colour, displayed by a huge variety of trees old and new, and the sparkle of herbaceous borders close the season.

Enjoy the background of birdsong and a chance to see a wonderful variety of native flora and fauna. The gardens have won many conservation awards.  Sculpture and land art can be seen throughout the grounds.  In the studio and Gallery there are exhibitions of work by contemporary artists. Allow 1 to 2 hours for your visit. Guided tours can be arranged. 
Website: www.marleplace.co.uk  Telephone: 01892 722304

Merriments Gardens
The inspirational gardens at Merriments have an interesting mix of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses to provide interest and imaginative colour combinations to delight the visitor from spring to autumn.  The gardens were originally started as a display garden for the nursery but are now one of the finest gardens in Europe.  Full of interesting plantings and colour, these wonderful formal gardens with water features and a fountain include a stunning bridge erected over large ponds in the style of Monet's 'Grande Allee' at Giverny in France.  There is also a gravel garden, water garden, a foliage border, woodland area and a rock and scree garden.

Combine the imaginative garden borders with the fact that many of the rare and unusual plants seen growing can be purchased from the nursery, and Merriments is arguably a gardener’s heaven. To add further interest, the wild area has a bird hide and multiple feeders on display, where up to 25 species of bird can be seen feeding throughout the day.

As well as the four acre gardens and nursery, Merriments has a shop selling garden products, seeds and bulbs.  There is also a wild bird centre offering bird products and advice on how to attract wild birds into your garden.

The licenced Garden Terrace Restaurant serves delicious treats, light lunches and daily specials. There is a choice of indoor and outdoor seating. 
Website: www.merriments.co.uk  Telephone: 01580 860666

Biddenden Vineyards
Biddenden Vineyard is Kent's oldest commercial vineyard, having been established by the Barnes family in 1969. The vineyards are set in 22 acres on a gentle south facing slope in a shallow sheltered valley, 1.2 miles from the lovely Wealden village of Biddenden. Ten varieties of grapes are grown to produce White, Red, Rosé and Quality Sparkling wines, all of which are pressed and bottled on site. The vineyard also produces the famous Biddenden Cider, along with farm pressed juices.

Visitors to the vineyard are able to take a walk through the vines on a choice of marked routes and take a look around the winery. There is also the chance to taste the award winning wines, ciders and juices in the vineyard shop, which is fully stocked with a wide variety of locally produced jams, chutneys, honey, beers and more. Free admission and tastings

Facilities:Licensed tea shop/tasting room, stocked with wide range of local products including new local cheese counter.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.biddendenvineyards.com  Telephone: 01580 291726 

Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest –  Adventure in a world of trees
Open all year Bedgebury Forest offers walking, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, adventure play and orienteering for people of all ages and abilities, creating one of South East England’s premier sites for healthy outdoor activity.

Bedgebury's National Pinetum is host to the world’s finest collection of conifers and continues to offer a haven of peace set in beautiful parkland with lakes, streams, rolling hills and wide avenues. The Visitor Centre lies at the heart of a network of new paths throughout the Pinetum that enable easy access for all levels of ability.

Cyclists of all ages and abilities can enjoy a 10km family cycle route (with a 4km short loop) and over 13kms of mountain bike trails. This includes a long cross-country single track and a cycle skills area, with built structures and a dirt jump course designed to challenge a rider's ability and technical skills.

Bedgebury also has a Go Ape high wire and aerial assault course, with rope bridges, Tarzan Swings and zip wires up to 40 feet above the forest floor. Please visit  www.goape.co.uk for more details.  There are all-ability walking routes promoting healthy living, including health walks and calorie mapped trails. The state-of-the-art Adventure Play Area is themed around the great plant-hunters of the Victorian era.

Bedgebury has also added and upgraded 12km of horse riding tracks. The addition of way-marking, a trail map, a secure box park and picnic area, plus links to existing bridleways has created a wonderful trail riding opportunity.  The project has been carefully planned to take into account conservation issues and minimise disruption to Bedgebury’s abundant wildlife and special habitats. www.bedgeburypark.com

The Visitor Centre serves both the National Pinetum and Forest. It features catering, toilets, a separate cycle hire shop (including disabled cycles), showers, bike wash area, visitor information and a classroom/community room. Bedgebury is open all the year. Visitors should wear suitable footwear and clothing.
Website:www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury  Telephone:01580 879820

Kent & East Sussex Railway
The Kent & East Sussex Railway is one of the country's finest examples of a preserved rural light railway. From Tenterden Town station historic steam and diesel trains gently wind their way along 10 ½ miles of track travelling through unrivalled Wealden countryside and the beautiful Rother Valley. The route finally terminates in the Sussex village of Bodiam in the shadow of the magnificent National Trust castle.

Today, the railway retains much of its historic beauty and visitors enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and service of a bygone age. Nostalgia is just everywhere and although there are five stations on the line passengers are encouraged to board the trains at one of three main stations, Tenterden, Northiam or Bodiam.

The Railway offers a range of special discount tickets for groups, families and pensioners throughout the year. Their great value all day family rover ticket allows unlimited travel for 2 adults and up to 3 children or 1 adult and up to 4 children for £42. This is ideal for passengers wishing to hop off the train and explore the many delights each destination has to offer and whether you are interested in heritage, shopping, nature, food or drink, there is something for all ages to enjoy.

The Kent & East Sussex Railway is renowned for its innovative events programme, which offers entertaining days out all year. Details of all special events, discounts and how to book tickets can be found on the railway’s own website, www.kesr.org.uk

Tenterden and Northiam are situated on the A28 between Ashford and Hastings and both stations have spacious car parks which are free all day for visitors. Those who would prefer to start their day from Bodiam can park at the castle for £2, it’s then a 5-minute level walk to the station. 
Website:  www.kesr.org.uk  Telephone:  01580 765155

Chiddingstone Castle
Chiddingstone Castle is a stunning country house near Edenbridge with a fascinating collection of exotic antiques and antiquities.  Set in 35 acres of beautiful grounds, with a lake, rose garden, woodland and award winning orangery, this attractive country house dates from 1550s.  Revived from dereliction in 1955 by the gifted antiquary Denys Bower, the castle became a home for his amazing and varied collections. Denys amassed a stunning array of Japanese armour, swords and lacquer as well as Egyptian antiquities, beautiful Buddhist artefacts, Jacobean manuscripts and Stuart paintings, which are well worth a visit.  In addition to the wonderful collections in the Castle and authentic Victorian rooms, visitors of 8 or more can arrange to see the new Servants’ Hall and Bedroom which have been opened for the first time this year.  The castle hosts a variety of themed events throughout the year and can be hired for functions and weddings. Open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays from 6 April 2012.
Website: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk  Telephone: 01892 870347

Penshurst Place and Gardens
Described as 'the grandest and most perfectly preserved example of a fortified manor house in all England'. Penshurst Place has been the ancestral home of the Sydney family since 1552. At the heart of this medieval masterpiece is the Baron's Hall, built in 1341. The adjoining Staterooms contain a wonderful collection of tapestries, furniture, portraits, porcelain and armour.

The jewel in the crown – the stunning 11 acres of formal gardens, which were laid out in the Elizabethan era, provides a continuous display from spring to autumn.
Website: www.penshurstplace.com   Telephone: 01892 870307

To find out more about all the Seven Wonders of the Weald and their tourism partners visit  www.sevenwonders.org.uk or call The Royal Tunbridge Wells Tourist Information Centreon 01892 515675 or email touristinformationcentre@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

The Seven Wonders of the Weald also has a number of complimentary partners which help make a stay in the area extra special and these are Bedgebury Park Equestrian Centre and Holiday Accommodation, The Mill Toy & Pedal Car Museum, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club and Garden of England Cottages.

Bedgebury Park Equestrian Centre and Holiday Accommodation offersfantastic horse riding in Bedgebury forest, or you can book a stay in their new self-catering cottages where walking and cycling can be added to your day’s activities.

Alternatively book a stay with Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club in Ticehurst, which has always been regarded as a hidden gem, just perfect for a short break or holiday.  Dale Hill is the highest four star rated Hotel in the area, with 35 international standard en-suite bedrooms, indoor heated pool and Gymnasium and two 18 hole golf courses.

Visitors to the area can also choose to stay in quality self- catering holiday accommodation available through the Garden of England Cottages.  They have a wide selection of accommodation in Kent and Sussex to suit individual requirements. 

While in the area a visit to Royal Tunbridge Wells including the famous Pantiles is a must.  The Pantiles is now home to a fascinating variety of chic specialist shops, antique shops and open-air cafés, restaurants and bars.   The Chalybeate Spring situated at the northern end of the Pantiles still flows.

The Mill Toy & Pedal Car Museumhouses a unique collection of interesting collectables and nostalgic pedal – powered toys. The Mill overlooks the Kent & East Sussex Railway Station at Northiam so you can visit whilst enjoying a great day out on the railway. All railway visitors can enjoy £1 per person discount on their entry price making this a great value stop. If you are coming by car The Mill has its own free car park.