South East historic houses compete for national gardens prize

Bob Dale

BBC News, South East

Penshurst Place A view of the garden at Penshurst Place, with an ornamental water feature in the foreground, yew hedges behind them and the Weald stretching to the horizon. There is a blue sky peeping through slightly stormy-looking clouds. Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place’s gardens in Kent are still laid out in Elizabethan style

Three historic houses in the south east of England are making a final push for votes, after being shortlisted for a national garden of the year award.

Penshurst Place and Hole Park in Kent, plus Arundel Castle in West Sussex are among eight finalists for the 2025 Historic Houses award.

The winner will be chosen by a public vote, with voting closing in September.

The South East entrants are up against gardens in Wiltshire, Somerset, Cumbria, Shropshire and County Durham.

The 11 acre (4.5 hectare) garden at Penshurst Place, near Tonbridge, was first laid out in 1346.

Ben Thomas, general manager, said: “The gardens are rooted in their Elizabethan origins and have barely changed since their creation, something we are incredibly proud of.

“We hope visitors will come and enjoy the gardens for themselves this summer, particularly when our 100-metre Peony Border and more than 5,000 roses are in full bloom.”

ARUNDEL CASTLE A field of lilacs at Arundel Castle, with the rebuilt Gothic house in the background. ARUNDEL CASTLE

Arundel Castle is the current holder of the title

Arundel Castle’s 38 acre (15 hectare) gardens are the reigning champions, having won the title in 2024.

The castle, which overlooks the River Arun in West Sussex, was founded in 1067 but the building and gardens were rebuilt between the 1870s and 1890s.

HOLE PARK Two purple blossom trees in the garden of Hole Park, with a lawn, topiaried trees and a grotto in the background. HOLE PARK

Hole Park has been owned by the same family since 1911

Hole Park, which is between Tenterden and Cranbrook, has a 16 acre (6.5 hectare) garden, with the house owned by the same family since 1911.

Current owner Edward Barham said: “My wife Clare, myself, our family and the wonderful Hole Park team are all thrilled to be shortlisted for this year’s Garden of the Year Award.

“It is recognition of what we know, and our many visitors tell us, is a very special place: a horticultural gem which offers beauty, variety and rare tranquillity to all who come here.”

Hole Park A flower bed at Hole Park, fully in bloom, with purple, orange and white flowers, in front of a high brick wall and a black wrought iron gate, which is open. Hole Park

The flower beds of Hole Park have been in full bloom during the summer

Ben Cowell, director general at Historic Houses, said: “This year’s shortlist shows the variety on show across England’s finest gardens.

“They range from the historic grandeur of Arundel Castle to the bluebells and wildflower meadows of Hole Park.”