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Home / Type of trip / Attractions / Penshurst Place and Gardens, Kent

Penshurst Place and Gardens, Kent

March 24, 2014 by Gretta Schifano 27 Comments

Penshurst Place. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Penshurst Place. Copyright Gretta Schifano

My eleven year-old son’s eyes widen as the woman offers him a tankard of beer to drink. He looks towards me. The woman says: ‘The young master is of age. Everyone from the age of five drinks beer. But if you don’t want to drink it why don’t you just smell it?’ She tilts the pewter tankard towards each of us in turn. As I peer inside I see that it’s empty. My son looks relieved.

Tudor times

We’re at Penshurst Place and Gardens in the Weald of Kent, England. The woman is one of a group of costumed actors this weekend recreating life at the manor house in 1588 when the Spanish Armada threatened to invade England. She’s playing the part of a cook and tells us that beer was safe to drink in Tudor times but water often wasn’t.

She’s in a room next to the 14th century Baron’s Hall and is standing in front of a long table laden with Tudor dishes. She tells us that she’s preparing food for the soldiers and shows us some pheasant pies. The pies are small and round and each has a pheasant’s foot poking up throughout its pastry lid. Apparently this is to hold on to while eating the pie.

House

In the centre of the spacious Baron’s Hall a fire burns in an octagonal hearth and a musician plays Tudor music. We walk up the stone staircase from the hall to tour the rooms above. King Edward VI granted the Penshurst Estate to Sir William Sidney in 1552 and the Sidney family have lived there ever since, adding to the house and gardens over the centuries. The rooms are interesting but we don’t spend too long in them as my son’s keen to get outside. He stops briefly by a display of muskets – they’re enormous and I can’t imagine how anyone managed to lift and fire them.

Gardens

Outside on the lawn more costumed actors are marching a row of children and parents up and down. Each child carries a long spear: they’re preparing to fight the Spanish Armada.

Spanish Armada weekend, Penshurst Place. Copyright Gretta Schifano.

Spanish Armada weekend, Penshurst Place. Copyright Gretta Schifano.

We walk down to the splendid Elizabethan formal gardens. The earliest records for the Grade I listed gardens date from 1346. A mile of yew hedge divides the gardens into a series of different ‘rooms’. So one part is an orchard of fruit trees carpeted with daffodils when we visit, another contains flower beds in the form of the union flag, another is a paved garden with a pond. On a warm day this is a great place to come with children – they love exploring here.

Toy Museum

The Toy Museum is housed in a nineteenth century stable block next to the main house and contains the toys of generations of Sidneys. My son and I agree that some of the dolls on display are the oddest we’ve ever seen – particularly the one dressed as a vicar – but we both like the old wooden rocking horses.

Adventure playground

The traditional adventure playground is impressive. It covers a large area and has an array of play equipment made of unpainted wood to suit a range of ages. There are picnic tables at the edge of the play area where you can eat your own food. There’s also a decent café by the main entrance and a restaurant near the Baron’s Hall.

Family events

It’s always worth checking what’s on offer for families at Penshurst, especially during the school holidays. Penshurst Place and Gardens is a great place for a family day out and I’d definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Visit Kent and Penshurst Place for arranging our visit for the purposes of this review.

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Related

Categories: Attractions, Elsewhere
Tags: England, historic houses, Kent, Penshurst Place

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault says

    March 30, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    I lived in Kent before escaping to France and NEVER went to Penshurst Place (I drove past lots) – I think I best remedy this the next time I am over in the UK!
    Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault recently posted…Easter Accommodation in NormandyMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Coombemill says

    March 29, 2014 at 6:13 pm

    I love places like this and they are made so much better with special days and actors to bring the history to life. Yuck to those peasant pies! A great review and lovely entry to Country Kids.
    Coombemill recently posted…Country Kids from Coombe MillMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Merlinda (@pixiedusk) says

    March 29, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    Everything looks interesting! Must be a nice experience!

    #countrykids
    Merlinda (@pixiedusk) recently posted…Saturday is Caption DayMy Profile

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  4. agatapokutycka says

    March 27, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    Interesting.
    We like places like this, so maybe one day we take a longer drive and pop with a visit
    agatapokutycka recently posted…PFMA – Pet obesity five years onMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Fritha says

    March 26, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    eep those toys are a bit terrifying! x
    Fritha recently posted…How well do you know your friends?My Profile

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  6. VaiChin @Rambling Through Parenthood says

    March 25, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    I absolutely love to visit places with a bit of history and the Tudor period is especially fascinating. This looks really interesting.
    VaiChin @Rambling Through Parenthood recently posted…First Family Holiday AbroadMy Profile

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  7. anna says

    March 25, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Sounds like a great place to visit with educational history there as well as fun!
    anna recently posted…Tuesday Tutorials Pintorials Pin Party Week 8My Profile

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  8. Michelle says

    March 25, 2014 at 8:30 am

    I’m fascinated by Tudor times, and this looks like a great place to visit. Will have to add it to our ever growing list of days out!
    Michelle recently posted…Feeling Blue [Project 365:2014 – Day 83]My Profile

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  9. Kara says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:40 am

    I love visiting places like this and its great to see the kids fascinated by history
    Kara recently posted…Ecoegg Laundry Egg ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Kizzy says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:07 am

    I love visiting places like this, such a great day out
    Kizzy recently posted…Park Life #magicmoments #whatsthestory #countrykidsMy Profile

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  11. Sam @happyhomebird says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:41 am

    I’m mad into history and a Ricardian, yes a bit batty and always telling all about how Richard III was a good King but shhh….I do love Tudor history too. I would totally love this place and hopefully one day will get to visit. I adore Tudor music and I get goosebumps when I hear it. Thanks for a great post, I wish I had more history posts in my blog roll to read now.
    Sam @happyhomebird recently posted…Ethel the cowMy Profile

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  12. Hannah Staveley says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:53 pm

    Not been to this place , looks like fun .
    Hannah Staveley recently posted…Biscuits GaloreMy Profile

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  13. Charlotte says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:51 pm

    Looks like a fab place to visit with kids! very educational 🙂
    Charlotte recently posted…Smiggle – cute kids stationary giveawayMy Profile

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  14. The Egyptian Mummy says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:31 pm

    This sounds like such fun! I remember going to Beaulieu as a child for a similar event that was Victorian themed. Those dolls are terrifying though!
    The Egyptian Mummy recently posted…Review: Tesco Finest cheeseMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Louisa says

    March 24, 2014 at 10:56 pm

    I love events like this, they really bring history to life. Although I have to admit the pheasant pie was not a part of history I would be keen to relive!
    Louisa recently posted…A visit to the Wolseley CentreMy Profile

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  16. Lucie Aiston says

    March 24, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    what a lovely review! Looks like a very interesting day out!
    Lucie Aiston recently posted…and the saga continues…My Profile

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  17. Charly Dove says

    March 24, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    What a great review, sounds like a fabulous place to visit. I love events like this, just brilliant to teach history. Well done on being a MAD finalist – I’ll see you there 🙂
    Charly Dove recently posted…A sunny walk at SheepleasMy Profile

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  18. You Baby Me Mummy says

    March 24, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    Looks like an interesting place to visit. Great review x
    You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Brilliance in Blogging AwardsMy Profile

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  19. Rachel @ activities4kidz says

    March 24, 2014 at 7:20 pm

    Looks a lot of fun,that doll is really creepy though! X
    Rachel @ activities4kidz recently posted…Stained Glass StarsMy Profile

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  20. lisa prince says

    March 24, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    looks a fantastic bit of history and great da our although those pheasant pies are quite off putting to admire x

    Reply
  21. Mummy of Two says

    March 24, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    That looks like a great place to visit and a really great event.
    Mummy of Two recently posted…Gift inspiration for Mother’s DayMy Profile

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  22. Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says

    March 24, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    Great review 😉 Hope we can visit it one day 😉
    Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade recently posted…Creamy mushroom sauce / Kremowy sos pieczarkowyMy Profile

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  23. laura redburn says

    March 24, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    to be honest, it’s not my cup of tea, but i always find something to enjoy about a place like this (the building for example) and it looks like fun for kids!
    laura redburn recently posted…what i wore – daisy print dress & ladybird likes broochMy Profile

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  24. TwinsplusTwo says

    March 24, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    Fantastic place to visit! A friend does reenactments at Kentwell Hall in Suffolk, they stay for a fortnight and live as Tudors. A full scale reenactment would be great here!
    TwinsplusTwo recently posted…When does Caring become Comedy?My Profile

    Reply
  25. Kerry says

    March 24, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    Great review, looks like a very interesting place to visit.

    Oh So Amelia

    Reply
  26. Sonya Cisco says

    March 24, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    I love events like this, they really bring history to life for kids.
    Sonya Cisco recently posted…StolenMy Profile

    Reply
  27. Victoria says

    March 24, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    i love to visit places like this, when its a national trust free weekend we always go somewhere we never been before

    Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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