The Gardens

Explore the Gardens at Goodnestone Park

Set around our beautifully restored 17th-century Queen Anne mansion in the heart of the Kent countryside, the Gardens at Goodnestone Park are among the county’s most distinctive historic gardens. Covering fifteen acres and surrounded by peaceful parkland, they combine formal terraces, woodland walks, a spectacular walled garden, arboreta and wildflower meadows to create one of the most rewarding gardens to visit in Kent.

Just a short drive from Canterbury, Goodnestone Park offers something beautiful in every season. From carpets of snowdrops in late winter and colourful herbaceous borders in summer to spectacular autumn colour and abundant wildlife throughout the year, the gardens continue to evolve while remaining true to their historic character.

Many visitors comment on the sense of peace they experience here. Others return throughout the year to enjoy how the gardens change with the seasons, discovering something new with every visit.

The Walled Garden

Widely regarded as the highlight of a visit to Goodnestone Park, the historic Walled Garden is a succession of beautifully designed garden rooms, each with its own distinctive atmosphere.

Visitors enter through a traditional knapped flint doorway into a lush subtropical garden filled with bananas, cannas, ornamental grasses and the intoxicating scent of brugmansia.

Beyond lies a pictorial meadow, a productive herb garden and a large greenhouse housing an impressive collection of cacti and succulents.

The central axis of the garden creates one of Goodnestone Park’s most memorable views, leading through a series of enclosed spaces towards the beautiful 12th-century Norman church beyond.

Initially, tonal planting in shades of pink, purple and blue surrounds an ornamental pond edged with weathered York stone. On still days, flowering water lilies float on the surface while the church is reflected in the calm water.

Deep herbaceous borders provide colour, fragrance and texture throughout the growing season.

Further through the garden, exuberant peonies bloom in early summer alongside shrub and climbing roses. Diverse herbaceous planting ensures the borders continue flowering well into late summer and autumn.

Behind these ornamental borders, the productive No-Dig gardens are used to grow vegetables, fruit and cut flowers, while trained fruit trees add further character and structure.

At the very end of the Walled Garden, beneath the Norman church, an extraordinary wisteria planted between the wars cascades across the ancient wa

The Woodland Garden at Goodnestone Park

The Woodland Garden offers a more relaxed and natural experience, where mature oak and sweet chestnut trees create a peaceful canopy above an understorey of native holly and hazel.

Winter and early spring bring camellias, Christmas box, witch hazel and mahonia into flower, before the woodland floor transforms into drifts of snowdrops, winter aconites and hellebores. As spring progresses, these give way to an almost continuous white carpet of wild garlic.

A network of winding paths leads visitors through quiet glades, rustic seating areas and constantly changing woodland scenery, making this one of the most peaceful parts of Goodnestone Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit the Gardens at Goodnestone Park?

Every season offers something unique. Late winter brings snowdrops and hellebores, spring sees blossom and wild garlic, summer is filled with roses and colourful herbaceous borders, while autumn showcases spectacular foliage throughout the arboreta.

Are the Gardens at Goodnestone Park open throughout the year?

The gardens offer year-round seasonal interest. Please check our current opening times before planning your visit.

What makes the Goodnestone Park gardens unique?

The combination of historic formal gardens, woodland walks, a celebrated walled garden, sustainable gardening practices, abundant wildlife and beautiful views across the Kent countryside makes Goodnestone Park one of the county’s most distinctive garden destinations.

Is Goodnestone Park managed sustainably?

Yes. Sustainability is central to how the gardens are cared for. No pesticides are used, much of the productive garden follows No-Dig methods, homemade compost is created on site, and wildlife habitats are actively protected and enhanced throughout the estate.