Walmer Castle and Gardens

Welcome to Walmer Castle and Gardens, an extraordinary site on the coast of Kent that perfectly illustrates the evolution of English history from military defense to horticultural splendor. Built in 1539 during the reign of Henry…

Our tour begins with the foundational history of the castle itself. Standing before these heavy stone walls, you can clearly see the intent of the original builders in 1539. …

Entering the Kitchen Garden, you are stepping into the oldest managed part of the Walmer grounds. People have been growing produce here for about 300 years, dating back to the early 1700s. …

The Broadwalk is a grand horticultural statement, originally designed in the 1860s. However, its current character owes much to the 1920s, when Old Beauchamp transformed the borders into the stunning perennial displays we see…

The Queen Mother’s Garden is a more intimate and contemporary space, originally designed by the renowned landscape architect Penelope Hobhouse. It was created as a gift for the Queen Mother on her 95th birthday, reflecting her…

Further out in the pleasure grounds lies The Glen, a part of the garden with a fascinating industrial origin. Originally a chalk pit, it was turned into a garden in the early 1800s by Lady Hester Stanhope. …

As we conclude our tour, I want to focus on the overall atmosphere of Walmer in the autumn. For the head gardeners and the visitors alike, this is a season of profound change. …

As we conclude our exploration of Walmer Castle and Gardens, I hope you have found the transformation of this site as fascinating as I do. We have traced its history from a squat Tudor fortress to a grand residence and a…