The medieval castle gardens in Kent that rarely opens to the public

Yahoo

15 hours ago

A medieval castle is set to open its gardens to the public this summer to help raise funds for a hospice.
The gardens of Allington Castle, which is usually closed to the general public, will open on Sunday, July 20, and Sunday, August 3, to raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice.
The open days will include a treasure trail for children, with prizes for those who complete it.
The hospice, based in Aylesford, says it only receives a small amount of NHS funding and relies heavily on local fundraising.
Event manager at the hospice Maisie Bass said: "As most hospices are local charities, including Heart of Kent Hospice, we only receive a small amount of NHS funding and rely heavily on local fundraising.
"We need to raise the £6.6 million it costs each year to support thousands of people, as well as their families, friends, and carers living in our community, both at home and in the hospice.
"By supporting events, including the Allington Castle Gardens open days, we can help our hospice to continue providing free end-of-life care and support to those living with a terminal illness in the Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge, and surrounding areas.
"We would like to thank Kerrie Gibbons and the team at Allington Castle for making this event possible."
The castle, which is one of Kent's finest private residences, is not normally open to the general public.
The 12th-century castle is situated in 42 acres of woodland on the River Medway.
It was once visited by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn who dined with Sir Thomas Wyatt in the Great Hall around 1530.
The gardens of the castle are home to a variety of wildlife.
Free parking is available and visitors can bring their own picnics to enjoy in the gardens.
There will also be a bar offering refreshments.
Dogs are not allowed.
Tickets are £15 for adults, £10 for children, or £45 for a family ticket.
The event will take place at Allington Castle, Castle Road, Allington, ME16 0ND.
Booking is essential and can be done via the Heart of Kent Hospice website.
The hospice organises a variety of events throughout the year to raise funds, from sporting challenges to family events.