H ow T o F ind U s
Opening Times & Prices
Visitor Information
Opening times for 2010
The House
Home to Kings and Noblemen
As one of England’s oldest family homes, Penshurst Place
has passed through the hands of royalty and nobles for
more than six centuries.
Following time in the ownership of Henry VIII, in 1552
Penshurst Place was gifted to the influential Sidney
family – a well known family member being the poet
and courtier Sir Philip Sidney. Today, a direct descendant,
Viscount De L’Isle MBE is custodian of Penshurst’s future.
Retaining the warmth and character of a family home, the
sturdy medieval gothic sandstone and handsome Tudor
brick make this one of the best-preserved examples of
a defended manor house in England.
Revealing the medieval heart of Penshurst Place is to
see the magnificent Baron’s Hall, completed in 1341.
The adjoining staterooms contain wonderful collections
of fine portraits, paintings, furniture, porcelain, tapestries
and armour and a poignant family photographic exhibition.
This year the medieval Crypt, with its vaulted ceiling,
has been cleared to reveal a beautiful reflective space
beneath the state rooms.
The Gardens
Truly English Gardens
These famous historic formal gardens are the jewel in
the crown of Penshurst Place. With records dating back
to 1346 they are one of the oldest in private ownership
and a superb example of Elizabethan garden design.
With 48 acres of grounds including the 11 acres of walled
and yew hedged garden ‘rooms’, they provide a variety
of form, foliage and bloom throughout the year. In spring,
daffodils and bulbs nod under ancient apple trees. The
stunning Peony Border blooms in late May and early
June and thousands of roses and lavender plants send
the senses wild all summer. With autumn there comes a
profusion of cobnuts, apples, pears and vibrant colours.
Historic garden developments
The two year project to restore and redesign the
72 metre double herbaceous borders continues.
Some hard landscaping will be taking place later
this year with the new design, by Chelsea Gold
Medallist George Carter, taking shape in 2011.
Weekends Saturday 6th March - Sunday 28th March 2010
Daily Monday 29th March - Sunday 31st October 2010
Gardens open from 10.30am - 6pm (last entry 5pm)
House & Toy Museum open from 12 noon - 4pm
Garden Tea Room open from 10.30am - 5pm
Gift Shop open daily ALL YEAR (excl Christmas day through to
The Place
A Place in History
our Toy Museum, created by Yootha Rose a founder
member of the National Toy Museum, includes some
new Sidney family toys, added to the collection this year.
The Garden Tea Room has been refurbished
and offers home-cooked style hot and cold menus,
incorporating local produce. A kiosk serving drinks
and ice creams is in the Venture Playground and
open during peak times.
Our Gift Shop is full of perfect gift ideas, books,
cards and traditional toys to suit all pockets. Located
at the visitor entrance, it is also open all year.
The Penshurst Place Estate is set within
the High Weald and offers a rich landscape in which
to walk. Estate walking trail guides are available from
the Gift Shop.
Penshurst village has the original ‘Leicester
Square’ and a 15th century Guildhouse. There is also
the historic church that can be visited and contains
the Sidney family chapel.
Where hospitality reigns
New Year); 10.30am - 6pm during the season, 10.30am - 4.30pm
during closed season (see Events for Christmas late night shopping nights)
Whether for business or pleasure, Penshurst Place & Gardens
provides an idyllic setting for special private and public events.
The rooms for hire within the House comprise the awe-inspiring
Baron’s Hall, the charming Sunderland Room and the cosy
Buttery. With thousands of acres of ancient parkland estate,
there are also opportunities to hire areas for larger events.
Available for exclusive hire throughout the year, we can
also offer exquisite fine dining from Leith’s of Glyndebourne,
for events such as:
•Civil ceremonies, wedding receptions and
renewal of vows
•Banquets, formal dinners, balls, parties and
champagne receptions
•Corporate outdoor activities and events which can
involve a wide range of outdoor pursuits
•Meetings, conferences, product launches, training,
seminars, business breakfasts and team-building days.
To discuss your requirements in more detail, please
contact the Banqueting & Events department on
01892 870307 or email [email protected].
₤
Free car and
coach parking.
Cycle racks
available.
Entrance prices for 2010
House, Gardens & Grounds Gardens & grounds only
Adults
Children aged 5-16
(under 5s max 2 free per adult;
thereafter £2.50 per child)
Family day ticket
w
By road
From M25 Junction 5 follow A21 to Tonbridge, leaving
at HILDENBOROUGH exit; then follow brown tourist signs.
From M20/M26 Junction 2a follow A25 (Sevenoaks),
A21 for HILDENBOROUGH, then follow brown tourist signs.
By public transport
Train from London Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells
or London Victoria station to Edenbridge then bus
(231 & 233 see www.arrivabus.co.uk for times)
excludes Sundays.
Train from London Charing Cross to Tonbridge,
then taxi to Penshurst (approx. 6 miles).
By bicycle
Cycle to Penshurst Place via Tonbridge on the cycle path
route No 12. Arrive by cycle and receive £1 off normal
adult admission prices – or £4 off the family day ticket.
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
£9.50 £7.50
(2 adults + 2 children)
£6.00 £5.50
£25.00 £22.00
Garden Season Ticket
(cardholder + one guest)
£40.00
Family Garden Season ticket
(2 adults + 2 children or 1 + 3)
up to 5 children on a ticket at £6.50 per child
Adult group non guided
(15+ adults)
£7.50 £6.50
£4.50 £4.00
BOOKED Guided Tours for Groups (15+)
Tour prices include entrance to House and Gardens
Adults Children (aged 5-16)
House Tour
£9.50 £5.00
Garden Tour
£9.50 £6.00
House & Garden Tour
We regret that dogs are not allowed in the
o grounds except for guide dogs and hearing dogs.
Picnic areas are available in the grounds and
the venture playground.
For Group enquiries
Please contact our Head of Visitor Services on
01892 870307 or email [email protected].
Make more of your visit
Visit www.visitheartofkent.com for local
accommodation and itinerary information.
£65.00
Child group non guided
(15+ children)
Information for visitors with disabilities
Gardens – wheelchair accessible route. Partial
access to House with DVD available to view
remaining staterooms. Wheelchairs available and
can be booked in advance. A disabled access leaflet
is available on request which details all our facilities.
£15.00 £9.00
Contact Us
Tel: 01892 870307
Email: [email protected]
Penshurst Place & Gardens, Penshurst,
Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG
visit our website
www.penshurstplace.com
Penshurst Place reserves the right to amend opening times and events.
Image credits: Sustrans/David Young, KDH, Darryl Curcher/Heart of Kent.
Visitkent/www.Britainonview.com/Rod Edwards, Christina Chelmick, David Edgington,
David Sellman, David Markson, Leo Creed, Tim Jordan, David Smith, Nick McCann
and Peter Smith/Heritage House, Chris Walker, Maryann Webster.
Though we endeavour to run all the events as we have planned, this
may be affected by unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather
conditions. Please do contact us before visiting to avoid disappointment.
W elcome T o O ur E vents P rogramme 2010
Welcome to our events programme at Penshurst Place &
Gardens. This year we step back in time to the 1940s, to mark
the 70th anniversary of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain.
There are special children’s Porcupine Club activities for season
ticket holders again this year – just pick up an activity sheet from
beside it.
our Visitor Reception during events where there is a
Events are free to garden ticket holders except where it states that
a ticket is required or the price for an event is given.
For further information visit our website www.penshurstplace.com
or call us on 01892 870307.
Mother’s Day
Sunday 14th MARCH
Come and have a special Mother’s Day lunch or high tea in
our newly refurbished Garden Tea Room. If you would like
to book a table please call the Tea Room on 01892 871052.
Armada Presentation
Monday 15th - Friday 19th MARCH (schools only)
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st MARCH for all visitors
12 noon - 4pm
Come and experience the smells and
sights of a Tudor banquet in the magnificent
Baron’s Hall at Penshurst Place, whilst outside
the militia prepare to ward off the invasion of the
Spanish Armada. House ticket required for entry
to some of the activities (garden season ticket
holders free entrance).
Easter Weekend
Good Friday 2nd - BH Monday 5th APRIL 12 noon - 4pm
Come and make some festive Easter bookmarks and do the
Spring trail around the gardens!
Sunday 4th & Monday 5th APRIL 2pm - 3.30pm
Look back to how Easter was celebrated in the 1940’s
by joining our two evacuees as they are sent to Penshurst,
and find out about what scrapes they get into!
Spring Holiday Events and Activities
Tuesday 6th - Sunday 18th APRIL daily 12 noon - 4pm
Find out more about rationing and make your own rations!
With playground games and crafts in the Education Room.
Mayor’s Sponsored Bike Ride
Sunday 11th APRIL 11am
The Mayor of Tonbridge charity event starts
at 11am using the Tonbridge to Penshurst
Cycle Route. Entry fee from £2. To receive
a Registration Pack call 01732 876005,
email [email protected], or
download from www.tmbc.gov.uk/bikeride.
Places to be booked by 1 April.
Weald of Kent Craft Show
Bank Holiday Saturday 1st Monday 3rd MAY
Come along to a quality outdoor craft show
for all the family with up to 250 artist craftsmen
displaying and demonstrating. Free antiques valuation.
Special offer joint entrance ticket to Craft Show &
Penshurst Place available to purchase in advance - to
book contact: ICHF - 01425 277988 www.ichf.co.uk
Macmillan Charity Sponsored Walk
Sunday 16th MAY 11am
Join a sponsored walk for Macmillan Cancer
Support and people affected by cancer. Choose
between two lovely circular routes of 2 ½ or 8 miles through the
grounds and countryside surrounding Penshurst Place. To register call
01252 714818, email [email protected]
or register online at www.macmillan.org.uk/walking
New Events
at Penshurst Place & Gardens
in association with
Hadlow College
Seasonal Gardening Tasks
Enjoy an informative hands-on practical training day in the
wonderful gardens of Penshurst Place. Led by our Head Gardener
you’ll benefit from help and advice on a range of areas such as
restorative pruning, turf care & the division of herbaceous plants.
Winter: Tuesday 23rd March 2010 9:30am - 2.00pm
Summer: Friday 9th July 2010 9:30am - 2.00pm
Autumn: Friday 22nd October 2010 9:30am - 2.00pm
£70.00 per person per workshop (including lunch).
Seasonal Floristry Workshops
You’ll benefit from the guidance of a professional florist and by the
end of the morning have gained a variety of new skills with which
to impress your friends. In April you will learn table arrangements
and in June a peony hand-tied bouquet will be demonstrated.
• Thursday 1st April 2010 10:00am - 12:30pm
• Wednesday 2nd June 2010 10:00am - 12:30pm
£50 per person, inclusive of materials & refreshments. To book your
place on these courses, please call Hadlow College on 0500 551434.
May Bank Holiday and School Holiday Events
Wild about the Countryside
Saturday 29th May - Sunday 6th June 12 noon - 4pm
Countryside craft activities for children in the education room.
Other Events throughout the season
Harpist Margaret Watson Sundays - 9th May,
20th June, 4th July & 12th September 2pm - 4pm
Harpist Margaret Watson will be visiting us to play in the house & gardens.
BANK HOLIDAY Sunday 30th & Monday 31st MAY
12 noon - 4pm
Countryside events for all the family, with Kent Wildlife Trust,
explaining how we can affect the wildlife around us, including
willow working demonstrations and some Curious Creature
puppets and stories for children.
The Penshurst Farmers’ Market
first Saturday of each month 9.30am - 12 noon
The Farmers’ Market is held in Penshurst Place visitor car park;
selling top quality, fresh Kentish produce.
Glorious Gardens
Wednesday 2nd - Sunday 6th JUNE
Enjoy a variety of garden related events to
celebrate the blooming of the unique 100 yard
Peony Border at Penshurst Place.
Gardening for Her Majesty The Queen
Thursday 3rd JUNE 6.30pm for 7.30pm talk
As Head Gardener at Buckingham Palace, Mark Lane has
numerous interesting stories to tell. This promises to be a
fascinating talk. Tickets £12 inclusive of refreshments and
can be purchased from the Penshurst Place Gift Shop and
Hadlow College’s Broadview Garden Centre.
Head Gardener’s Tours
Friday 4th & Saturday 5th JUNE 2pm
Head Gardener’s Tours followed by a cream tea. Tickets £16
booked in advance from our Gift Shop or by calling the Estate
Office on 01892 870307.
Digging for victory storytelling and planting
Sunday 6th JUNE 12 noon - 4pm
Join Ethel and Tom as they Dig for Victory and listen to their story
as they tell you what they dug up and why it was ticking! Join them
and our Head Gardener to plant up your own special vegetables.
Storytelling for all the family. 2pm - 3.30pm. With skipping
demonstrations from the British Skipping Association.
RHS Growing for Success Talk
SUNDAY 6TH JUNE 5PM
George Carter, designer of the new herbaceous border at
Penshurst Place, will talk on the subject of “Evolving Historic
Gardens: New developments at Penshurst Place and other
historic sites”. RHS members & Penshurst Place season ticket
holder price: £6. Non-members price: £13 (inc entrance to house
and grounds). Call RHS ticket line (08456 121 253).
Father’s Day
Sunday 20th JUNE
Come and have a special Father’s Day lunch or high tea in our
newly refurbished Garden Tea Room. If you would like to book
a table please call the Tea Room on 01892 871052.
Primavera Chamber Ensemble
Sunday 20th JUNE 7.30pm, in the Baron’s Hall
Mozart: Piano Concerto K414, Howard Blake (The Snowman):
Flute Quintet, Beethoven: Piano Quartet in E flat Op. 16 & Haydn
arr. Salomon: Symphony No 94 The Surprise.Tickets £24 include
wine during the interval, available by post from Primavera Trust,
Broom Cottage, Fairwarp TN22 3BY 01825 713526
Tosca performed by Candlelight Opera
Sunday 18th JULY 7.30pm
In the Baron’s Hall (picnic in church park from 5.30pm). Puccini’s
passionate opera of love, lust and murder played against the panoramic
politics of Napoleon’s Rome. Performance tickets: £27.50 & £32.50.
Heritage Ticket £13.50 - includes access to the house and grounds
before the performance, house tour and cream tea. Call the Candlelight
Opera Box Office on: 0844 561 1921, www.candlelightopera.co.uk.
Please note due to the nature of the venue, seating is not tiered.
Summer Porcupine Club Party
Saturday 24th JULY 4pm
For all season ticket holders, a special
children’s party to start the Summer
holidays. Don’t forget to bring your
Porcupine Club Badge!
Summer School Holiday Events and Activities Toys were us!
Sunday 25th July SatURday 28th August
Every Sunday and Thursday there will
be fun children’s activities with lots of games
from the past to play, in the Education Room.
On Sundays only: Special ‘Toys were us’
storytelling from Aardvark productions for all the
family on Sunday afternoons 2pm - 3.30pm.
And, find out more about how the Peregrine
falcon was used to deal with the carrier pigeons
during the War – with Huxley’s Birds of Prey.
Birds on display from 12 noon and flying at 3pm.
MG Car Club SOUTH EAST CENTRE SUMMER GATHERING
Sunday 8th August ALL DAY
Free entrance for garden season ticket holders to this special
80th anniversary event. Held in Lake Park.
The Merchant of Venice
Sunday 22nd August 7pm
International professional Theatre Set-Up present Shakespeare’s The
Merchant of Venice in the unique setting of the Baron’s Hall. Tickets on
sale from mid April and available from the Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells
Tourist Information Centres on (01732) 770929 or (01892) 515675.
For ticket sales online go to: www.thebookingshop.com.
Please note due to the nature of the venue, seating is not tiered.
August BANK HOLIDAY - Civilians at War
Sunday 29th & Monday 30th AUGUST 12 noon - 4pm
Find out more about life on the Home Front during World War II,
as Hands on History enlist you into the Home Guard. Interactive
demonstrations and presentations.
Weald of Kent Craft Show
Friday 10th - Sunday 12th SEPTEMBER
Another chance to come along to a quality outdoor craft
show where the whole family can experience a great day
out together. Special offer joint entrance ticket to Craft Show
& Penshurst Place available to purchase in advance - to book
contact: ICHF – 01425 277988 www.ichf.co.uk
A talk from Richard Beale of Peter Beales Roses
in association with Hadlow College
Thursday 23rd September
6.30pm for 7.30pm talk
At Penshurst Place; tickets £12.00 and available
from Penshurst Place Gift Shop and Broadview
Garden Centre in Hadlow.
Spooky School Holiday Activities & Events
Saturday 23rd - Sunday 31st October
A spooky trail around the garden with witchy
and wizardy craft activities in the Education
Room. On Sunday 31st October, come and
hear the story of the skeleton woman and the
fisherman, in the Buttery. A funny and only slightly
scary story for children. 2pm - 3.30pm. With a fancy
dress costume competition at 4pm (prizes for all).
Christmas at Penshurst Place
Gift Shop open daily throughout
November & December 10.30am-4.30pm
Late Night Christmas Shopping Nights
Wednesdays - 24th November, 1st, 8th & 15th
December 4.30pm-8pm
Do some peaceful shopping in our Gift Shop, with 10%
off all purchases made (excluding vouchers and stamps).
A truly English stately home and gardens
with a place in history
Father Christmas makes an early
delivery Saturday & Sunday 4th & 5th,
11th & 12th, 18th & 19th December 10.30am 12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm
Tickets £5.00. Further details on our website.
V i s i t o r & E v e n t s I n f o r m at i o n 2010
Home of Viscount De L’Isle