Last week I wanted to visit a place I had only found out about a couple of days before hand…Godington House and Gardens, in Kent.
Godington House dates back to the 14th century, various parts of it were added over subsequent centuries, and the greatest part is Jacobean, it has remained relatively unsullied by time, and had only a few major changes in ownership over six hundred years, added to that its owners improved their inheritance without taking away what had gone before, ensuring hat the rich heritage continues. It used to be a private house, and the last owner left the estate in the care of Godington House Preservation Trust, who oversee the continuing development of the garden.
The house is only open to the public on two days a week, so it made sense to try and visit on one of those days.. and amazingly the weather on the day we visited was perfect…
I found the house interesting, and the history of it.
But it was the gardens that I was more interested in… especially as some parts of it had water.. and I love water in a garden!
I loved the enormous walled kitchen garden with ornamental Victorian style greenhouse
And the lily pond further into the grounds, was peaceful to sit by too.
But my favourite part of the garden was the Italian Garden, with the rill, and fountain, it had everything I love about a garden, the walled garden was so peaceful, with a mass of foliage and flowers. I adore rills, and the fountain trickled water into the clear water, it was so inspirational, I know I want to paint this photo as soon as I can!
So all in all, a wonderful choice of place to visit…
