A Christmas gift to add sparkle all year

What is small in size yet great in value, can nestle among the branches of your Christmas tree, comes wrapped in gold and can entertain the family all year round? Answer: The Seven Wonders of the Weald Pass! The Pass offers free and affordable days out for everyone to some of the best attractions in the South East.

The £25 annual pass gives savings of over £120 including free entry, discounts and free cream teas.

The pass can be purchased from local tourist information centres, wic, participating attractions and online at sevenwonders.org.uk which also has more information about the pass.

The attractions which make up the Seven Wonders of the Weald are:

Scotney Castle
The grounds offer beautiful colour with daffodils and snowdrops followed by banks of colourful rhododendrons in late spring. The vibrancy of the red and gold foliage in autumn is the perfect setting for a gentle stroll or a game of hide and seek with the children. The Romantic ruins of the 14th-century castle provide an ideal background for picnics, and the manor house hosts a variety of events throughout the season for visitors.

Bewl Water
Bewl Water, the South East’s largest lake, offers a range of activities including walking, riding and cycling around its 13 mile perimeter with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. The lake itself is perfect to learn or perfect your fly fishing, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing or rowing. Families with children can discover the adventure playground with plenty of places to swing and slide. There is also new equipment, ideal for younger children, adjacent to the visitor centre and café.

Marle Place Gardens
Marle Place Gardens has many delightful features including herbaceous borders, a secret fern garden, scented garden and Victorian orchid houses. The wildlife friendly gardens extend to woodlands and lakes, offering a relaxing place to walk after exploring the gardens and free onsite art gallery.

Lamberhurst Vineyard
Lamberhurst Vineyard offers something special for every guest including great food available from the Swan or the Bistro. There is a farm shop offering home cooked ready meals, fresh local produce and fine award-winning English wine. Pop into the beauty salon for some pampering and let the children enjoy the adventure playground at the Swan or Pet’s Corner.

Sissinghurst Castle
The gardens are set in intimate grounds in the ruins of a large Elizabethan mansion and are one of the world’s most celebrated gardens. The romantic little compartments are filled with colourful floral displays and there are lakeside and woodland walks which are open all year. There is colour throughout the season and you will want to return at different times of year to enjoy the wisteria, azaleas, roses and the White Garden. The four storey Elizabethan prospect tower provides one of the most impressive views of the High Weald and is the best way to view the whole of Sissinghurst Estate.

Finchcocks
This Grade I listed house is a haven for those who love culture, and visitors on a Sunday can enjoy afternoons listening to recitals on the wonderful collection of over 100 period keyboards including pianos, harpsichords and organs. The summer concerts add a wonderful atmosphere to the formal gardens where visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll and, in June and July, Finchcocks is the host to a unique summer festival which attract musicians from across the country.

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest provides a different view of nature with its exotic and native trees and the largest collection of conifers on one site in the world. Amateur botanists can enjoy spotting rare trees and plants and observe bird and insect life throughout this enormous natural site. Bedgebury is not just for nature lovers; visitors can enjoy the onsite café, walking, cycling and horse riding through the Pinetum and forest. Events throughout the season including pop concerts in June, high wire adventure with Go Ape! and a wonderful adventure playground covering 12 separate sites in the forest designed in homage to great plant hunters of the past.

The Seven Wonders lie in the idyllic scenery of the High Weald and offer something special for everyone whether it’s historic houses, beautiful gardens or leisure activities. What more could you ask from a Christmas present?