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.
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.
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).
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 :-)
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| My favourite piece in the garden |
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| 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... |
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).
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| 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 :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
It looks like a really nice place! I´m impressed by those loaded with flowers rhododendrons, they are not often seen here.
ReplyDeleteMight be worth trying in your garden Lisa :)
DeleteThe sculptures are amazing! They look like my kind of thing!
ReplyDeleteThey've done well positioning them, they've chosen perfect spots to complement them!
DeleteWhat a nice outing! I liked a good many of the sculptures but I'd say the one at the top of your post was my favorite as well.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Kris, same taste :)
DeleteSo many interesting sculptures! Looking up through the metal tree is wonderful and the rusty head is great. I love them all!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you singled that one out Peter, it's a great piece and can easily integrate into many types of garden and planting.
DeleteIt all seems so familiar to me. Since I've never been it must me magazine coverage? Either way it looks like the perfect location for a family outing.
ReplyDeleteIt is Loree, well geared for families and lots of activities set out for kids. The series was shown there from what I've read on the wiki link, and can imagine must have been featured in a magazine too at some point.
DeleteInteresting place indeed!
ReplyDeleteIt is :)
DeleteWe're possibly heading to Kent later this year so I've made a note. Not sure about some of the sculptures but love the two sleeping faces and the rusty tree. As for the walled garden ......The well placed sign made me chuckle.
ReplyDeleteThose two are my favourite sculptures in the garden Anna. Worth visiting if you're in the area. And don't forget Lullingstone Castle too!
DeleteThank you for featuring this - it's not that far away from us but I've never come across it. I take it the sculpture was the "rescue" bit of the Country House? Looks as if it might have worked.
ReplyDeletePleased to hear that we've introduced somewhere new and near to you to check out Helen! I'm not sure if the sculptures had to do with the rescue specifically but If my memory serves me right the manor house needed some costly repair and maintenance and the garden had to find a way to bring in some income, hence the suggestions to develop the grounds as an attraction.
DeleteI do vaguely remember this Country House rescue, I watched quite a few from the series. Looks like they've done a good job. Some amazing sculpture and the gardens are lovely.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Jessica :) it was a good series and watched some of the episodes
DeleteThe wide open spaces set off the sculptures beautifully...kind of an outdoor museum.
ReplyDeleteThat's a perfect way of describing it Ricki :)
DeleteWow what a beautiful area. And so many sculptures. I personally like the tree one best. Great perspective on that shot by the way.
ReplyDeleteI think that tree will look good in a succulent garden too Candice :)
DeleteWhat an interesting place, like Anna I am unconvinced by lots of the sculpture, but really like your own favourite, although I think I'd want to take home they snargled sphere under the tree.
ReplyDeleteI like that one too Janet and they've put in a really good position to highlight both the landscape and the sculpture!
DeleteSome lovely shrubs there. I always admire them but don't have the soil for them. They sure have lots of large art.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Indeed Cher :)
DeleteI am always in that area, thanks guys it looks like a lot of fun, ill be sure to check it out. Hope alls well. Paul
ReplyDeleteWell worth visiting especially if you're in that area often Paul :)
DeleteThe rhodies are spectacular! I particularly like the tree sculpture that looks like a living tree when photographed as you did, with a real tree showing through the frame. That is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind having that sculpture in our garden Debs (although I can imagine it has a hefty price tag so maybe not) :)
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