The living is easy in High Weald

Close your eyes and picture the scene: ambling, cycling or driving along leafy country lanes with views over rolling hills, pretty woodlands and patchwork fields, glimpses of historic houses and gardens. Imagine stopping for coffee, lunch, tea or a stroll in a charming town or village where weatherboarded houses, oasts or Tudor buildings nestle round a fine church or picturesque green – the whole bathed in English sunshine… this is the High Weald of Kent, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Within this idyllic scenery lie the Seven Wonders of the Weald – seven attractions, no more than 10 minutes’ drive apart, that offer a variety of activities for all ages and interests, from nature lovers to cultural enthusiasts and keen sportsmen and women. Each of the Seven Wonders brings something special to the whole, be it historic relics of the past, prettily laid out gardens, water-based fun, an appreciation of nature, sampling local produce, or listening to world class music. A day out or a longer stay offers plenty of inspiration for both local visitors and those from further afield.

Much of the Wealden countryside was created by farming and the unique oast houses are reminders of the great hop farming industry. Today, visitors are more likely to see vineyards decorating Kentish fields. Lamberhurst Vineyards is among the more successful: its red, white, rosé and sparkling wines have won several awards and can be bought at the onsite shop and bistro, alongside other Kentish produce. But the vineyards are about more than eating and drinking: walking through the vines is a pleasurable pastime, while visitors who stay until early evening are rewarded by spectacular sunsets crowning the wonderful views over the Tiese valley. Why not stop for dinner at the gastro-pub next door? The Swan, winner of the South Eastern Pub of the Year 2007, serves the finest local produce on its enticing menu.

Bayham Old Abbey is hard to beat for picnics in the open air and tranquil scenery. The ruins of a 13th-century monastery, which were incorporated into a landscape design to complement a Georgian dower house, lend an air of serenity to the surrounding countryside. As the ruins provide the perfect scrambling ground for youngsters, adult visitors can relax on the grass, or explore a little history themselves among the Abbey remains, or in the two rooms of the dower house open to the public.

At Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest nature wears a different mantle as tall trees, both exotic and native, provide a shady haven for picnickers and amateur botanists who can enjoy spotting rare trees, plants, and observe bird and insect life throughout this enormous natural site. Bedgebury is also a magnet for the more active visitor with its 10km of cycle paths, 13km of mountain bike routes (including a Freeride Area) and 12km of bridle paths together with several walking routes. All are carefully planned to ensure plenty of space for all the individual pastimes within a marvellous forest setting.

A large visitor centre with a café, cycle hire and even showers, as well as a Victorian plant hunter themed adventure play area and Go Ape high wire course, ensures visitor needs are very well catered for. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for the many events that take place including pond dipping for children, dormouse awareness and bat walks for all.

For a water landscape, Bewl Water, which is the largest body of water in the South-east, has a visitor centre with café and adjacent adventure playground, and the activities on offer include walking, riding and cycling round the 13-mile perimeter with opportunities to spot plenty of waterfowl. Learn or improve your skills at fishing, sailing, canoeing, rowing and windsurfing skills. Bewl also has various events throughout the year, such as car rallies, garden shows and exhibitions.

If your pleasures are more on the cultural side, then Finchcocks is definitely the attraction to head for. A fine Grade 1 Georgian manor houses a celebrated collection of over 100 period keyboards including pianos, harpsichords and organs. On afternoons when the house is open, visitors will be treated to a demonstration or musical recital showcasing some of these lovely instruments. And there are also summer concerts in June and July and a September Festival featuring professional musicians from home and abroad. On concert nights, special catering can be provided, while the formal gardens lend themselves to a peaceful stroll.

At Marle Place Gardens, where art mingles with delightful planting, this privately owned garden designed by husband and wife team, Lindel and Gerald Williams, is truly magical with lots of interesting areas such as the secret fern garden, Victorian orchid houses, water features, sculptures and Victorian summerhouse. Here you have the beauty of the gardens combined with the opportunity to see art and sculpture exhibitions in the gallery.

Allow yourself time to enjoy the many attributes in this peaceful and beautiful Wealden garden – all blending seamlessly and leading to the woodlands where native wildlife flourishes spectacularly. Book into the painting classes to capture your own vision of the gardens to take home.

Gardens of a different kind surround Scotney Castle, famous for its 14th-century fairytale castle, deliberately ruined to create one of the finest examples of a Picturesque garden. Perched beside a lake, the castle is truly a scene stealer, but the rest of the gardens warrant time spent in appreciating them, from banks of colourful rhododendrons and azaleas to a hidden quarry garden. This year the mansion, to which the gardens belong, will be open to the public for the first time, offering something new to regular visitors. Scotney Estate offers walks through quintessential Weald countryside of woods, fields and hedges with views all around.

With so much to see and do, the Seven Wonders really does appeal to everyone, and the convenience of the attractions to each other means that spending summer in the Weald is easy.

For more details on the Seven Wonders of the Weald, visit: sevenwonders.org.uk which also links through to the individual attractions’ sites.

Events:

Summer Events at the Seven Wonders of the Weald

Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 June
Garden Show – Bewl Water
10am-5pm
Stalls form top growers plus garden products and crafts. Fun stalls and children’s entertainment. Charity proceeds to Kent & Sussex Border Lions. Entry included in car park admission of £5.

Friday 8 to Sunday 24 June
South East Open Studios – Marle Place Gardens
Group art exhibition in the Gallery – entry included in garden admission.

Saturday 9 June
Plants of Bedgebury – Bedgebury Forest & Pinetum
10.30am-12.30pm
Sue Buckingham leads a walk identifying the many species that inhabit Bedgebury’s varied habitats: heathland, acid grassland, etc.

Saturday 9 June
James Morrison Outdoor Concert – Bedgebury Forest & Pinetum
Evening
Bring a picnic, or buy refreshments on site. Tickets: £23.50.

Sunday 10 June
Travis Outdoor Concert – Bedgebury Forest & Pinetum
Evening
Bring a picnic, or buy refreshments on site. Tickets: £23.50.

Sunday 10 June
Midsummer Music Series – Finchcocks Musical Museum
“Music for a Summer’s Evening”
Programme to be confirmed. Performance starts at 8pm.

Sunday 10 June
Southern Classics Car Show – Bewl Water
10am-4pm
Vintage and classic cars on show, plus autojumblers.

Wednesday 15 June
National Gardens Scheme – Marle Place Gardens
All garden admission proceeds go to charity. Cream teas available.

Saturday 16 June to Saturday 7 July
Art & Photographic Exhibition – Bewl Water
Opening times vary
Works by Roger Gorringe and Chris Coates.

Sunday 17 June
Austin Seven Car Rally & Picnic – Bewl Water
10am-4pm
Over 200 exhibits of cars, commercials, motorcycles and machinery, plus craft exhibits and stalls. Entry included in car park ticket.

Sunday 17 June
Midsummer Music Series – Finchcocks Musical Museum
“Music for a Summer’s Evening”
Programme to be confirmed. Performance starts at 8pm.

Saturday 23 June
Dragonfly Event – Bedgebury Forest & Pinetum
1pm-3pm
A tour led by John & Gill Brooks to see some of the 25 varieties of dragonflies – some rare, but all beautiful.

Sunday 24 June
Midsummer Music Series – Finchcocks Musical Museum
“Music for a Summer’s Evening”
Programme to be confirmed. Performance starts at 8pm.

Friday 29 June
Venetian Masked Ball – Finchcocks
Dinner dance with Italian cuisine from by L’Italia A Tavola, Tunbridge Wells.

Friday 29 June to Monday 16 July
Photographic Show – Marle Place Gardens
Highly professional photographs, inspired by the gardens, taken by patients at Hospice in the Weald – entry included in garden admission.

Saturday 30 June & Sunday 1 July
Aerial Zip Wire Charity Event – Bewl Water
10am-4pm
In aid of the Red Cross and the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. Anyone can take part – just pay £15 entry fee and raise a minimum sponsorship of £100.

Sunday 8 July
Midsummer Music Series – Finchcocks Musical Museum
“Music for a Summer’s Evening”
Programme to be confirmed. Performance starts at 8pm.

Friday 20 July
Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ – Scotney Castle & Gardens
8pm (gates open 7pm)
Performed by Opera Brava. Tickets: £25 adult, £10 child.

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 July
Water Activities Have-A-Go Weekend – Bewl Water
10am-4pm
Your chance to try anything from windsurfing and canoeing to rowing and sailing for just a small charge per activity.

Wednesday 1 August
Pirate Party – Bewl Water
4pm-6pm
Party for kids on board the cruising ferry ‘Swallow’; treasure hunt, fancy dress and party food, £7 per person.

Thursday 2 August
Teddy Bears’ Picnic – Scotney Castle & Gardens
12.30pm-2.30pm
£5 per child.

Friday 3 August
Face Paint Friday – Scotney Castle & Gardens
£2 per child, plus normal admission charge.

Saturday 4 August
Vintage Motorcycle Club – Bewl Water
A lunch stop for the International West Kent Run. Machines form the 1900s to the 1980s stop by, over 500 expected. Web: Westkentrun.co.uk

Saturday 4 August
Bedgebury’s Summer Birds – Bedgebury Forest & Pinetum
10am-12noon
A guided walk to help identify the many (some rare) species of birds – and their songs – that reside in, summer in, or briefly stop at Bedgebury.

Wednesday 8 August
Pirate Party – Bewl Water
4pm-6pm
Party for kids on board the cruising ferry ‘Swallow’; treasure hunt, fancy dress and party food, £7 per person.

Wednesday 8 August
National Gardens Scheme – Marle Place Gardens
All garden admission proceeds go to charity. Cream teas available.

Friday 10 August
Face Paint Friday – Scotney Castle & Gardens
£2 per child, plus normal admission charge.

Tuesday 14 August
Treasure Island – Scotney Castle & Gardens
2pm (gates open 1pm)
Tickets: £15 adult, £8 child (5-15yrs).

Wednesday 15 August
Pirate Party – Bewl Water
4pm-6pm
Party for kids on board the cruising ferry ‘Swallow’; treasure hunt, fancy dress and party food, £7 per person.

Wednesday 15 August
Pirates & Mermaids – Scotney Castle & Gardens
12.30pm-2.30pm
£5 per child.

Friday 17 August
Face Paint Friday – Scotney Castle & Gardens
£2 per child, plus normal admission charge.

Friday 24 August
Face Paint Friday – Scotney Castle & Gardens
£2 per child, plus normal admission charge.

Bank Holiday Monday 27 August
Summer Craft Fair – Finchcocks Musical Museum
Organised by Cherry Picked Events. Admission to fair only: £3. House and music: £3 extra.

Friday 31 August
Face Paint Friday – Scotney Castle & Gardens
£2 per child, plus normal admission charge.