Situated
near Tonbridge, Kent, Penshurst Place is a great example of a 14th
Century house – ancestral home of the Sidney family and birthplace of
Elizabethan poet, Sir Philip Sidney.
Today the
‘set’ for many films and television programmes, such as The Other Boleyn Girl’,
the building and gardens make for an interesting and enjoyable visit.
We had a
great time on a recent day out there, wandering around the stunning, fragrant
grounds, which include formal gardens, ponds, rambling orchards and the odd
little ‘secret garden’ tucked away. The house was very impressive, boasting
many original features, furnishings and artefacts, whilst there is also a great
little toy museum. My son was interested to discover that the sound of the
creaking floor in the Long Gallery was actually recorded and used in the Harry
Potter films.
In between
all of this, you can pause with the kids at the adventure playground – a
mixture of traditional swings and seesaws and a little ‘assault course’. Ice
creams and coffee are a reasonable price (there is a kiosk by the play area)
and there are plenty of picnic benches, although there are also two restaurants
if you fancy treating yourself to a meal.
Admission
prices are good value: Gardens, adults £8, children £6; House and Gardens
adults £10, children £6.50. Under-fives are free and family tickets are
available.
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