Top two Kent gardens in race for prestigious UK award

London: Two eye-catching gardens in Kent have been picked for a top national award for the year 2025 in the UK. They are named as Hole Park Gardens in Cranbrook and Penshurst Place and Gardens in Tonbridge. The award, which got underway in 1984, is given to the best historic garden across the country. The public vote chose the winner. They are asking people to support them.

This is the first occasion when Hole Park Gardens has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. A spokesperson said, “It’s an honour to move into the final.” Every visitor to Hole Park is being treated as a guest, whether they are regular or part-time visitors. Hole Park was opened to the public in 1927. Colonel Arthur Barham purchased it in 1911, aiming to share the garden’s beauty with others.

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On the other hand, the history of Penshurst Place and Gardens is much older. The Sidney family has been its owner since 1552. It was once King Henry VIII’s hunting lodge. The garden is known all over the world for its 100-meter peony border, a rose-and-lavender Union Flag Garden, and the Jubilee Walk. Credit goes to George Carter for designing such a marvelous garden, which is now on the verge of bagging the best garden award in the UK.   It remained runners-up in 2021.

Arundel Castle Gardens in West Sussex is another finalist. Gardens are campaigning on a war footing to woo the voters. The general public can vote. It is going to be a tough battle, and it is difficult to guess at the moment who will emerge as the winner.