VISITKENT
© Darryl Curcher
CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE
NESTLED IN IDYLLIC COUNTRYSIDE IN THE KENT WEALD , AWARD-WINNING CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE OFFERS A MEMORABLE DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY . THE FORMER HOME OF THE LATE ANTIQUARIAN DENYS EYRE BOWER , THE CASTLE NOW HOUSES HIS FASCINATING EGYPTIAN , BUDDHIST , JACOBEAN , STUART AND JAPANESE COLLECTIONS INCLUDING INCREDIBLE SAMURAI ARMOUR AND SWORDS AND TREASURES FROM ANCIENT EGYPT . DISCOVER VICTORIAN ‘ UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS ’ ROOMS AND ENJOY A STROLL IN 35 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS COMPLETE WITH A LAKE , A COURTYARD ROSE GARDEN , WOODLAND WALKS AND HERBACEOUS BORDERS .
The delightful Tea Room located in the former Buttery also has sunny courtyard seating and serves delicious homemade cakes , traditional cream teas and light lunches , and a visit to the unique Well Tower Gift Shop complements every visit .
The Castle is open 11am to 5pm Sunday to Wednesday from April to the end of October .
Terry Waite © Gemma Levine
Every year the Castle hosts a long list of Special Events to suit all ages – including the Summer Vintage Fair in June , the Ancient Egyptian Activity Day in August , the Country Fair in September and the Chiddingstone Castle School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in October .
The second annual Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival is to be held over the first May Bank Holiday Weekend and offers something for everyone . Highlights for 2017 include talks by Terry Waite , Alison Weir , Artemis Cooper , Sir Anthony Seldon , Nicholas Crane and Rev Richard Coles ; and for families and children there are appearances from prize-winning authors Piers Torday and Lauren St John as well as a performance of The Ugly Duckling by award-winning theatre company Pericles , along with storytelling shows from Mr Dilly ’ s World of Wonder and Really Big Pants Theatre Company . The festival is expanding with the addition of a second marquee providing a space for workshops , storytelling , Sock Puppet Theatre and much more . Book your tickets now via the Castle ’ s website .
Chiddingstone Castle Hill Hoath Road Chiddingstone Edenbridge TN8 7AD 01892 870347 events @ chiddingstonecastle . org . uk www . chiddingstonecastle . org . uk
Reg . Charity No . 291203
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