On one of the last days of the English summer last week me and my mum decided to go to Groombridge Place, a gardens near Tunbridge Wells in Kent…
Although you can walk around the whole of the gardens and ‘Enchanted Forest’, there is also a canal boat you can hop on to quickly get to the Enchanted Forest, so on we hopped.
The boat ride is like taking a trip through The Wind in the Willows, we were waiting for Ratty and Moley to pop out and say hello as we went past.
There are many things to see in the Enchanted Forest, while a lot of it is catered for kids we found plenty to wander around, including this giant’s door.
As much as the forest was laid out to seem enchanted and wondrous for children, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in the middle of The Blair Witch Project. I definitely would not want to be walking around this place at night with all the weird wood and rock formations situated throughout the forest.
There are a number of huge tree swings for young and old to have a swing through the trees on.
So. much. fun!
We saw a zedonk, a cross breed between a zebra and a donkey. Me and mum now know why the saying “hung like a donkey” (or a zedonk in this case) exists. I saw far too much.
There was also a birds of prey show, which we only managed to catch the end of, but I think they saved the best till last in the form of Helga the Bald Eagle. She’s even been in a GQ photoshoot! How’s that for a cool eagle.
As well as the Enchanted Forest there are a number of beautiful gardens, from manicured to quite unkempt, just choose one to lose yourself in.
Dress – H&M. Jacket – Zara. Scarf – Vintage. Bag – River Island. Shoes – New Look. Sunglasses – H&M.
As we drove in, I recognised the manor house in the grounds instantly. Its the home the Bennet family live in in the Keira Knightley film version of Pride and Prejudice. Unfortunately they don’t allow you to walk around the house itself or the close grounds surrounding it, probably to preserve it, so alas this is as close as I could get. I had a lovely day at Groombridge Place and its a great summery visit, unfortunately if you want to go I think the nice weather has made a run for it, so wrap up warm and go anyway. Have you been to anywhere new lately?