insideKENT Magazine Issue 29 - August 2014 | Page 93

SUMMER

AROUND

THE

Seven Wonders of the Weald cont.

Biddenden Vineyards is open daily and visitors
are welcome to stroll around the 23 acres of
vines, set in the beautiful Kentish countryside.
There is a route marked out around the vineyard
for visitors to follow, and dogs are welcome on
leads.
See the presses and bottling line in the winery
and visit the shop to enjoy samples of awardwinning wines, ciders and apple juices. Admission
and tastings are free and free guided tours run
on selected dates for individuals – pre-booking
essential.
Upcoming Event: Pre-booked guided walks
on 2nd, 6th, 9th, 13th and 16th August.

Kent & East Sussex Railway is one of the
country's finest examples of a preserved rural
light railway, where visitors can enjoy the sights,
sounds and service of a bygone age. The vintage
steam and diesel trains gently wind their way
along 10 1/2 miles of track travelling through
unrivalled Wealden countryside and the beautiful
Rother Valley.

The Railway has stations at Rolvenden,
Wittersham Road, Northiam, Bodiam and
Tenterden and, with the Railway’s popular Rover
ticket, visitors can hop off and explore nearby
attractions including the National Trust’s Bodiam
Castle (10 minutes from Bodiam Station) and the
Mill Toy & Pedal Car Museum which is opposite
Northiam station.

The town has an abundance of parks and is
surrounded by woods and commons. The
beautiful Calverley Grounds has an ice rink at
Christmas while Dunorlan Park has a boating
lake for lazy summer afternoons.
Visit the Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery
which has been at the heart of Tunbridge Wells
since the 1830s to find out how the town grew
from the discovery of the spa waters in 1606.

flavour of the Japanese, Buddhist and Egyptian
cultures and an insight into the Stuart, Jacobean
and Victorian eras.
The castle hosts a variety of themed events,
inspired by the collections, offering educational
and entertaining activities for young and old alike.
Nestled in 35 acres of beautiful grounds, with a
lake, rose garden, woodland and award winning
orangery, Chiddingstone Castle is a beautiful
place to visit at any time of the year.
Upcoming Event: On Sunday 14th September,
enjoy a fun-filled family day out at the Country
Fair which has everything you would expect
from dog shows to horses and gundogs,
falconry, terrier racing, live music, a drinks tent,
hot food all day, fascinating farrier and
blacksmith demonstrations and a marquee full
of crafts, local produce, antiques and vintage
ware. Watch the entertaining ‘Dog and Runner
Duck Show’ and a side-saddle riding display.
During the Country Fair there will be reduced
admission to the Castle which has the most
amazing collections on display.

Just an hour away from London, Royal
Tunbridge Wells has been attracting visitors for
centuries. The white colonnaded Pantiles that
welcomed royalty who came for the Chalybeate
spring waters, today are buz 饹