Description
Doddington Place Gardens in Sittingbourne are landscaped gardens, in the grounds of a Victorian mansion covering 10 acres and are regarded as of being historical importance by English Heritage. Highlights include the Woodland Garden, created in the 1960s with camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, along with magnolia, and is especially worth visiting in late May/early June to see it in its full light. The Sunken Garden, the Rock Garden, and the Wellingtonia Walk also feature many flowers and trees of note, with yews planted before the First World War, are now a memorable feature of the gardens, which are surrounded by wooded countryside in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the North Downs. The mansion was built around 1860 for Sir John Croft, of the port and sherry family. The background of the gradens today have a hint toward the Edwardian influence of Mrs Douglas Jeffrey (nee Oldfield) who was responsible for much of the architectural detail and layout of the heart of the garden. It is still owned by the Oldfield family.
Opening Hours
Easter Day to the end of September
Sunday, Wednesday and Bank Holiday Mondays
11am-5pm
They are part of the National Garden Scheme and are open for this on selected dates.
Price
Adults: £9
Concession: £8
Wheelchair users: £4.50 plus carer free
Child: £3
Season tickets and discounts for groups available.
Accessibility
All the garden except the rock garden is accessible by wheelchair, although some of the paths in the woodland are rather uneven in places and not for the fainthearted.
Dogs
On lead at all times.
Additional Notes
Coaches - by appointment.
Facilities
Cafe • Free Parking • Toilet • Disabled Toilet
Picture Credit: © Doddington Place Gardens.
