Emmetts gardens - National Trust

On this overcast day with a little sunshine peeking through and rain spitting on the windshield I headed for Sevenoaks and then to look for the turn off to Emmetts along the A25. The drive was easy and interesting but I was aware of the lowering clouds and the threat of rain but instead of being downhearted I took courage from the fact that all around me plants were showing off, trees looked cool and green and as I drove through the Seal Woods area I was excited by the mystery of the forest and imagined trolls and dwarfs and maybe even the elves of middle earth looking out on us under the green canopy (cliche alert!)

Note the intense color of the Hydrangea bush above.

However, I arrived at the gardens safely and alighted expecting noting more than a perhaps a dull day, and a dull vista, but I was pleasantly wrong. As we are aware most gardens of thie size of Emmetts and Scotney for example are usually patronised most in Spring and Autumn for the riot of color that these seasons produce. This year the flowers have been so vibrant I cannot blame visitors for preferring the two 'pretty' seasons. In fact Emmetts has a different beauty in Summer. It offers color from the trees and the small hydrangea shrubs - a speciality - on the south garden walk and the stands of birches and oaks on the lower walks.

These slender trees are on the approach to the gardens.

Like all gardens that boast trees as their forte theer are a selection of evergreens as a contrast to the familiar (and unfamiliar) decidous trees. Their colors range from deep greens to yellows and the fantastic silver greens offered by the spreading cypress.

Colorful evergreens

Wherever you walk you will see color and contrast and I enjoyed the contrasts not in spite of the rain but because of it. The fresh look of the trees and shrubs belied the mid-summer heat - it was humid and although I need a coat to keep dry I was warm - and as I walked the pathways the view across to Chiddingstone and Ide Hill was misted but with a little patience more or less became clear as my eyes adjusted to the scenery and day light.

Below are daisies peeping out from behind a rock in the rockery

A new addition to the gardens is the rockery - known also as the 'Scree Garden' - which is a treat for the eyes and remarkably well laid out and surrounded by an attractive iron fence with entrance gates is a worth the visit alone. The water feature and the whitened rocks and stones enhance the reds of the acers and small plants so well that one could almost feel that yuo are in a Japanese garden. There is evidence of much care and reasoned design gone in to the effort. A real treat. The bonus is that the grounds which it overlooks are a picnic area and offer some fine views. Emmetts is on a hill and uses the contours well to give the visitor a variety of views.


In spite of the rain and the absence of my companion on these walks, namely my Sister, I managed to enjoy the visit. Oh, and for the curious, there is a cafe there serving the usual NT snacks and a shop with seats outside from which the surrounding contryside can be enjoyed. For the intrepid there are footpaths which lead down to Surridge and Brasted, both of which are worth a visit and to Ide Hill where one can dine in the pub and have a good walk around too.

Again the vibrant colors



On the whole the trip was a good one and I was glad I went.