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There’s nothing quite like a spring display of daffodils to brighten your day.
The yellow bulbs are a firm favourite at this time of year and, with warmer weather and longer days right around the corner, there’s no better way to celebrate the spring season.
Green-fingered visitors to Hever Castle in Edenbridge this March will be able to soak up one of the county’s largest collections of spring flowers as the Dazzling Daffodils display bursts into life.
The display, which is open from Monday, March 13 to Sunday, March 19, features almost 70,000 daffodils covering the grounds of this historic castle in a sea of vivid yellow.
The plants are expected to bloom around the banks of the outer moat, along the Lake Walk and beside the Festival Theatre.
Many of the daffodils were planted at Hever Castle by former owner William Waldorf Astor at the turn of the 20th century.
The richest man in America at the time, Astor purchased the castle in 1903 and, over the following five years, created its beautiful gardens, with particular emphasis on one of his favourite flowers, the daffodil.
To tie in with the history of the castle and gardens, daffodil expert Johnny Walkers and head gardener Neil Miller will take visitors on a tour of Anne Boleyn’s Orchard and show them what it was like to experience the daffodils blooming in the Edwardian era.
“We know from our research, and from the documentation we have, that William Waldorf Astor was very keen on daffodils,” says Neil. “He had his gardeners create four huge daffodil cut-outs on the lawn, as well as demanding daffodils be planted throughout the estate.
“We are delighted this year to encourage visitors to walk in Astor’s footsteps and discover the daffodils that we know would have been in bloom when he lived here.”
There will also be a garden exhibition open to visitors who want to find out more about the creation of Hever Castle’s impressive gardens.
The Dazzling Daffodils display is an annual spring celebration that many locals have likely experienced before, but there’s an extra reason to visit this year as the gardening team have planted an additional 10,000 daffodils for 2023.
Visitors can find an extra 7,000 daffodils in the Acer Dell area of the estate and 3,000 on the Woodland Walk.
If 70,000 yellow flowers isn’t quite enough for you, here are some more places in Kent where you can find daffodil displays this spring…
Chartwell, Westerham
This former home of Winston Churchill sees 15,000 daffodil bulbs begin to bloom around the woodlands and formal gardens.
Details: Mapleton Road, Westerham TN16 1PS. Open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Copton Ash, Faversham
A large private garden filled with rare species, Mediterranean plants and spring flowers, including vibrant daffodils.
Details: 105 Ashford Road, Faversham ME13 8XW. Open on select dates from Sunday, March 19 to Sunday, May 28 from 12pm to 5pm.
Godinton House and Gardens, Ashford
Visit this three-acre wild garden which will soon be covered with a carpet of not just daffodils but also fritillaries, primroses and other spring flowers.
Details: Godinton Lane, Ashford TN23 3BP. Open Sunday, March 19 from 1pm to 5pm.
Great Comp, Sevenoaks
Visit during the spring plant fair to see specialist, award-winning nurseries keen to show off the best plants from this time of year, and see daffodils, magnolias and azaleas in the garden itself.
Details: Comp Lane, St Mary's Platt, Sevenoaks TN15 8QS. Spring plant fair takes place on Sunday, April 16 from 10am to 5pm.
Hole Park, Rolvenden
Explore 15 acres of gardens, including parkland, lawns, woodland, walled gardens and the meadow garden, where you will find the daffodils, rhododendrons and azaleas.
Details: Benenden Road, Rolvenden TN17 4JA. Open daily from Saturday, April 1 from 11am to 6pm.
Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks
Spot the daffodils as they radiate beneath the apple trees in the orchard over the next month or so, just before the cherry and apple blossom arrive.
Details: Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks TN15 0NT. Open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Sevenoaks
The colourful daffodils, as well as the delicate primrose meadow, are welcome sights as the winter begins to draw to a close.
Details: Riverhill, Sevenoaks TN15 0RR. Open daily from Wednesday, March 15.
Stonewall Park, Edenbridge
Visitors are welcomed by a display of daffodils that can be seen from the driveway, leading down to a woodland garden full of magnolias, azaleas and bluebells.
Details: Chiddingstone Hoath, Edenbridge TN8 7DG. Open Sunday, March 19 and Sunday, April 30 from 2pm to 5pm.