Kent Houses and Gardens

Are you getting a car after arriving at Hever?

All the places you list are eminently visitable and often as they are so close two easily fit in a day of the first opens around 10. Not so easy if they don't open until 1.

More difficult without a car except perhaps Canterbury where a car an be a hindrance, but even there I have used the Pay and Display car parks easy walking to the Cathedral.

What time of the year will the visit be?

We will NOT have a car this time around, so we will need to rely only on public transportation - trains and buses. We are thinking about late May or early June, but are very flexible as we are both retired. By the time we take this trip, we will both be over 70, so renting a car would be difficult. We did rent a car when we drove through the Cotswolds and Cornwall to Rye, so I think we won't do that this time.

hmmmm.... National Trust properties in the main are a bit of a faff without a car.

I hope that our Tunbridge Wells correspondent chimes in - I'm not good in Kent with buses and the occasional taxi.

Thank you, anyway, Nigel, for attempting to help me!

Gerri - the Tunbridge Wells correspondent here!

I have to say that I m no expert about Kent's buses, having never been on one! I drive or cycle everywhere. This trip would be so much easier with a car, as getting to some of these places by public transport is difficult and time-consuming.

Edenbridge, whilst not an exciting place is the most obvious place to stay for visiting Hever, which is about 3 miles by taxi. Edenbridge is less sensible a base for Sissinghurst, Ightham Mote or Knole, as by train, all would necessitate a change at Tonbridge. The NT website tells you how to get to each destination by a variety of means. Knole is easy as it's in the centre of Sevenoaks and this could be combined with Ightham Mote by taxi. You would have to book your return taxi as there are no taxis near the property. If you had a car, personally I would swap Knole for Scotney Castle (also NT). It may make more sense to stay in Sevenoaks rather than Edenbridge.

Sissinghurst is just as easy to see by train from either Edenbridge or Rye, both involving a change at Tonbridge and Ashford respectively. It's half the time and a direct route from Sevenoaks.

The nearest rail station to Bodiam is 5 miles away at Robertsbridge, which is on a direct train line from Sevenoaks, but would necessitate a change from Rye or Edenbridge (Hastings and Tonbridge respectively). It's then a taxi ride to Bodiam Castle. There is no taxi rank at Robertsbridge station, so a local taxi would need to be ordered in advance. There is a seasonal steam railway from Tenterden to Bodiam, which is good fun. The nearest mainline stations to Tenterden are Ashford and Headcorn, both have which have a bus service to Tenterden. Tenterden itself is a pleasant village with a few tea shops and a pretty high street.

Canterbury by train from Rye is via Ashford. Battle and Hastings are about 15/20 minutes apart on the same direct trainline. There isn't much to Battle other than the Abbey. Hastings old town is interesting, less so the modern sprawl around it, but the seafront is pleasant enough and there are good fish and chips to be had. The furnicular cliff railway is interesting with good views from the top and see the unusual fisherman's huts on the beach. The small Fisherman's Museum and the Shipwreck Museum are both free (donations accepted).

Dear Jennifer, Wow! Thank you so much for so much good information! Gerri