For those who frequent Hadlow and the surrounding area, they may have visited Broadview Gardens, a hidden gem nestled in the outskirts of the village. For those who haven’t, then they have missed a sensory and visual treat.
The gardens are exceptionally maintained and managed by the award winning college students which include ‘Best Ever in Show’ at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, a ‘Gold’ medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as well as winning RHS Chelsea Floristry College of the year 2015. This adds to a growing list of awards that have been gained over the years.
This award-winning experience is being put to practical use in the gardens, which are set over eight acres and include a variety of stunning and surprising features. Each corner you turn offers a new vista such as the Grasses Garden, The Fountain Garden, The Oriental Garden, The subtropical style Garden (May to October), The Italian Garden and the Dry Garden. Broadview also holds the National Collection of Hellebores and the National Collection of Japanese Anemones. Each time visitors come to the gardens they will see new delights with flowers and plants for every season as well as a range of unusual plants and collections.
In addition to this, each year, from September to May, students build new gardens on themes from domestic gardens, show gardens to public landscape styles using an extensive variety of plants and materials in common and innovative ways.
While walking the gardens and enjoying the wide variety of plants and displays, children and their parents can have fun in the swing park or a picnic on one of the many lawns dotted around. Visitors can also take advantage of a well deserved cup of tea and cake in the Broadview Tearoom which is open to all and has a special area set aside for families. Here they provide Kentish food, which comes from the College or the surrounding area. The proceeds of the Tearoom go towards the student’s education.
For visitors who want to grow their own gardens, then they can buy something from an extensive range of fabulous plants and garden products from Broadview Garden Centre, where experienced and knowledgeable staff are able to offer advice on any gardening issue.
To find out more see www.broadviewgardens.co.uk.
Entry to the gardens is free.
