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About Kenfield Hall
Kenfield Hall is a tranquil, organic garden, nestled in the Kent Downs. Dating from the early 1700s, the site is referenced in the Kent Gardens Compendium, and vestiges of the original grounds can be seen throughout. Beech hedging respects the form of the original walled garden, which now contains a wild flower meadow, and woodland beds are being added to the once forgotten arboretum which features many mature specimen conifers.
In 1859, the East Kent Natural Society wrote about Kenfield Hall, stating that ‘the Collection of conifers is one of the most complete in the country, and contains very many choice specimens’, a number of these still remain, including examples of all three redwood species.
Much of the site had fallen into disrepair prior to being restored as a private home 20 years ago. Since then, the estate has been replanted extensively with native trees and hedgerows, and a program established to restore the grounds. The garden itself includes pockets of long grass and wild flowers throughout, to act a habitat and food source for pollinating insects.
The 18th century formal sunken garden to the rear of the house has been restored and adjacent to this is an impressive wooden arched colonnade, leading through to a rose garden which is edged by box hedging which is being organically managed against box moth caterpillar and box blight.
A more recent addition is the Japanese garden, which incorporates several waterfalls that flow into a natural swimming pool. This supports an abundance of life, and in the height of summer dragonflies can be seen darting above the water, a large number of newts can be seen in the shallows and occasionally great diving beetles can also be found in the depths.
Whilst the site includes a variety of different planting styles, careful consideration has been given to the surrounding landscape. Views from the house are designed to take the eye through a harmonious creation of paths and gateways into different parts of the garden.
There is also a vegetable garden with cut flowers, glasshouses and a conservatory.
Parts of the garden continue to be restored and developed and this presents a unique opportunity to see how they are put together, the thought process behind the decisions, through to the landscaping and planting.
Open by arrangement for groups of approximately 10 or more.
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