We first came across Riverhill Himalayan Gardens in Sevenoaks, Kent when it was featured in the TV programme Ruth Watson's Country House Rescue a few years ago. It is an historic, listed hillside garden that has carpets of bluebells and a display of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas in the spring, some of which are very old and have particular botanical significance.
My favorite piece in the garden
With some of Gaz's family living nearby we finally had the chance to check it out via a family day out there last Good Friday. As it was a family outing with a very young niece and energetic nephew in tow we didn't get the chance to scrutinise the place botanically but we enjoyed our visit nevertheless.
Kent is a beautiful county and rightfully deserves this title but it always makes me smile whenever I see this sign every time we pass by the QE2 bridge. It's in an ironic location...
Some of the rhododendrons and azaleas were flowering and looked spectacular and the bluebell glade was a sight to behold (so quintessentially English!). But what captured our attention the most are sculptures dotted around the garden.
The place looked pristine, there were plenty of visitors, the facilities of conveniences were there including the all important cafe (although it could do with being bigger but that will come in time as the place develops even further).
A peek inside the sphere as seen above
It looks like they're on the right track to 'rescuing' themselves.
Well worth checking out and visiting when you're in the area!
Mark :-)
