Travel Trade and Group Travel Information
Garden Tour
Spend the morning visiting the gardens of Pashley Manor Gardens which can be found on the B2099 between the A21 and Ticehurst village (look out for the brown tourism road signs). Spend 2 hours in the grounds of this award-winning garden with a very individual character and exceptional views to the surrounding valleys and fields. Many eras of English history are reflected here, typifying the tradition of the English Country House and its garden.
Pashley prides itself on its delicious home made food so why not have lunch there, served on the Terrace Restaurant or in the Old Stables Tearoom.
After lunch take a 5 minute road journey to Merriments Gardens situated on the A229 just off the A21 at Hurst Green.
Merriments grow an extraordinary array of plants hard to find in any other garden and it is the use of these unusual specimens, as well as the many tried and tested traditional varieties that make this garden a genuine one off. From small beginnings this four-acre garden is now recognised as one of the finest nurseries in Europe specialising in hardy perennials and ornamental grasses.
Also for sale are the plants you will see in the garden and rarely encountered elsewhere.
Other Suggestions
If you have longer than a day there are plenty of other parks and gardens to see. Stay overnight in Hastings and on day two take a 10 - 15 minute drive to Carr Taylor Vineyards, one of the largest and most successful vineyards in England.
Leave Hastings on the A21, take the first road to the right. This is the A28 and goes to Tenterden and Ashford, passing through Westfield. In Westfield turn left into Wheel Lane by the New Inn Pub and the Vineyard is about a mile on the left. There are signs all the way. Spend an hour or so strolling around the Vineyard and Winery and see how their still wines are made and discover the secret of traditional sparkling wine production.
Let your group take a tour and end with a tutored wine tasting!
After lunch take a short 15-20 minute drive along the A28 to Northiam where you will find Great Dixter. Turn off the A28 at the Post Office in Northiam and follow the signposted route from the village. The home of the late Christopher Lloyd - one of Britain's foremost writers on gardening and the creator of one of the most experimental, exciting and constantly changing gardens of our time. Incorporating many medieval buildings, the gardens surround the house, each complementing the other.
If you don't want to stray too far from Hastings, Hastings Country Park is barely 5 minutes walk out of the town and can be reached via the East Hill Lift, the steepest funicular railway in the United Kingdom.
Other ready made itineraries to make the most of a day in 1066 Country:
Further Information: