Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Cranbrook is a Wealden town surrounded by gardens and woodland, including Sissinghurst and Bedgebury, with Bewl Water and Scotney to the west.
Image: Sissinghurst Castle GardenSissinghurst is the celebrated garden created by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson near Cranbrook. Explore its series of garden rooms, including the White Garden and Rose Garden, climb the 16th-century tower to Vita's writing room, then walk out across the 450-acre estate and farm. Garden lovers should allow at least half a day.
Image: Balfour WineryBalfour Winery sits on the 400-acre Hush Heath Estate near Staplehurst, in the Weald. Book a vineyard tour and tasting of its award-winning English wines, eat at the Winemakers' Kitchen or Cellar Door, and walk among vines, ancient woodland and meadows. A shuttle from Marden station means nobody has to drive.
Image: Hole ParkHole Park is a family-owned garden near Rolvenden, cared for by the same family since 1911, with 16 acres of formal and wild gardens set in 200 acres of parkland in the High Weald. It is famous for its spring bluebell walk, magnolias, wisteria and azaleas, followed by summer borders and a woodland blaze of autumn colour. It suits garden lovers, families and dog owners, with a Coach House tearoom for lunch.
Image: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestBedgebury is Forestry England's National Pinetum, a world-leading collection of over 12,000 specimen trees set among the lakes and valleys of the High Weald near Goudhurst. Wander the pinetum on foot, cycle or mountain bike the forest trails, or let children tackle the play trail. With a cafe at the visitor centre, it can easily fill a day.
Image: Go Ape BedgeburyGo Ape's Treetop Challenge at Bedgebury sends you through the forest canopy on rope crossings, five zip wires and dual Tarzan swings. It suits confident older children, teens, adults and groups after an active few hours, and pairs well with a walk or ride around the rest of Bedgebury.
Image: Biddenden VineyardsBiddenden Vineyards produces English wine, cider and local juice near the Wealden village of Biddenden. Take a self-guided walk through the vines with a tasting, join a guided tour in summer, or browse the shop's local and British food and drink. It suits couples and small groups, and dogs are welcome on the vineyard walks.
Image: The C.M Booth CollectionThe C.M. Booth Collection is a motor museum in Rolvenden, built around a unique collection of Morgan three-wheel cars from 1909 to 1935. Alongside them are vintage cars, a van, motorcycles, bicycles and cases of toy and model cars. It suits motoring fans and curious families for about an hour.
Image: Scotney CastleScotney Castle pairs a romantic 14th-century moated castle ruin with a later mansion house on the hill above it, on a National Trust estate near Lamberhurst. Explore the house and the terraced garden that drops down to the old castle, then head out across 780 acres of parkland and Wealden woodland. Allow half a day, or longer with an estate walk.
Image: Headcorn AerodromeHeadcorn Aerodrome, formerly RAF Lashenden, is a historic grass airfield where you can watch vintage aircraft, skydivers and wing walkers, or book a flight of your own. Explore the WW2 Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, settle into the viewing zones and refuel at the cafe, bar and restaurant. It suits aviation fans, families and thrill-seekers, and a half-day visit works well.
Image: Forestry EnglandBedgebury's Room on the Broom trail gains a Halloween twist in October, with cauldrons to find and a crossword to solve for a sticker. It is an easy, low-cost outing in the pinetum while the autumn colour is at its best.
Image: Forestry EnglandA family day at the end of half-term to hear the brand-new Gruffalo story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo himself is due to make an appearance.
Image: Forestry EnglandAn evening light trail beneath the giant conifers of the national pinetum, reworked for 2026 with new installations. Look out for the Christmas Cathedral, a new Laser Garden and the tall trees lit against the night sky, plus a possible glimpse of Father Christmas. Food stalls sell hot drinks and treats, and you can toast marshmallows over fire pits.
Image: National TrustThe Victorian mansion at Scotney is decorated with scenes inspired by favourite fairytales, and a gingerbread trail runs outdoors for children. On selected late nights the gardens are lit with twinkling illuminations. Scotney is just outside Lamberhurst, so it combines easily with other festive outings in the area.
Image: Sissinghurst Castle GardenSissinghurst is the celebrated garden created by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson near Cranbrook. Explore its series of garden rooms, including the White Garden and Rose Garden, climb the 16th-century tower to Vita's writing room, then walk out across the 450-acre estate and farm. Garden lovers should allow at least half a day.
Image: Balfour WineryBalfour Winery sits on the 400-acre Hush Heath Estate near Staplehurst, in the Weald. Book a vineyard tour and tasting of its award-winning English wines, eat at the Winemakers' Kitchen or Cellar Door, and walk among vines, ancient woodland and meadows. A shuttle from Marden station means nobody has to drive.
Image: Biddenden VineyardsBiddenden Vineyards produces English wine, cider and local juice near the Wealden village of Biddenden. Take a self-guided walk through the vines with a tasting, join a guided tour in summer, or browse the shop's local and British food and drink. It suits couples and small groups, and dogs are welcome on the vineyard walks.