 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
I discovered Charts Edge Gardens at Westerham while visiting Churchill's former home Chartwell which is located nearby.
Charts Edge is a member of the National Gardens Scheme which opens fine gardens to the public to raise money for charity. Following the success of this venture the owners have recently decided to open the garden to the public themselves on Friday and Sunday from mid - April until mid - September from 2.00 - 5.00 PM.
Charts Edge comprises seven acres of spectacular gardens and contains many unusual and diverse features. These Include magnificent displays of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias and Magnolias, a Victorian Folly and Dell garden, water gardens and cascades, large mixed and herbaceous borders (including the new rill garden with rainbow border), a superb rock garden with over 150 varieties of plants and a sculpture trail.
The garden contains many
rare and unusual plants the majority of which are labelled. One example is the
Handkerchief Tree or Davidia Vilmorana to the serious gardener. With it’s
beautiful delicate hanging ‘petals’ giving the tree its common name,
looking as if a white handkerchief has been picked up in the middle and allowed
to hang loosely down.There is also a tearoom and plant sales. The garden is still being restored and extended by the present owners and offers fine views over the North Downs.
For such a relatively unknown garden to provide such high class and diverse displays was a very pleasant surprise to me and I would strongly recommend a visit when in the vicinity.
The garden is located on the outskirts of Westerham in Kent on the B2026.
| *Link to official site for viewing Visitor Information* |
 |
 |
 |
| The New Rill Garden and Rainbow Borders August 2007 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Late spring visit in May 2008 | ||
 |
 |
 |