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Monument details

HER Number:TQ 57 SW 299
Type of record:Landscape
Name:Hextable Gardens

Summary

Once part of the grounds of Hextable House, the gardens were acquired by the council as for use as a public park. The gardens include terracing, a rock garden, and ponds. The gardens were badly neglected but a programme of restoration began in the 1990s.


Grid Reference:TQ 5130 7002
Map Sheet:TQ57SW
Parish:HEXTABLE, SEVENOAKS, KENT

Monument Types

  • TREE AVENUE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1650 AD to 2050 AD)
  • GATE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1891 AD to 2050 AD)
  • ROCK GARDEN (Post Medieval to Modern - 1891 AD to 2050 AD)
  • TERRACED GARDEN (Post Medieval to Modern - 1891 AD to 2050 AD)
Protected Status:Historic Park or Garden 141: Hextable Gardens

Full description

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DESCRIPTION
Recently acquired by the Council, after some years of neglect, the terrace garden, the rock garden and pond area are being restored. There is a new rose arbour and planting and a ‘special needs' garden is being developed. A nature trail around the site passes many notable trees and shrubs. Opposite the original wrought iron entrance gates is an avenue of lime trees, known to date from 1650.

HISTORY
Hextable Gardens were once part of the grounds of Hextable House. From 1891 to 1944, these were the gardens of Swanley Horticultural College, and were designed and maintained by the students as part of their practical training.
Site timeline
1891 to 1944: From 1891 to 1944, these were the gardens of Swanley Horticultural College, and were designed and maintained by the students as part of their practical training.

Features
planting
Rock garden, restored.
planting
A ‘special needs’ garden is being developed.
gate
Original wrought iron entrance gates.
terrace
Terrace garden, restored.
arbour
New rose arbour.
tree avenue
Feature created: 1650
Avenue of lime trees.
pond
Restored.

Plantings
Lime avenue dating from 1650.
Planted: 1650
(1)


Kent County Council, 1996, The historic parks and gardens of Kent (Kent Gardens Compendium) (Unpublished document). SKE12972.

Kent Gardens Trust, 2011, Hextable Gardens, Sevenoaks: The Kent Compendium of Historic Parks and Gardens for Sevenoaks District (Unpublished document). SKE30605.

<1> Parks and Gardens Data Services Limited (PGDS), 2005, Parks and Gardens UK (www.parksandgardens.org) (Website). SKE16061.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
---Unpublished document: Kent County Council. 1996. The historic parks and gardens of Kent (Kent Gardens Compendium).
---Unpublished document: Kent Gardens Trust. 2011. Hextable Gardens, Sevenoaks: The Kent Compendium of Historic Parks and Gardens for Sevenoaks District.
<1>Website: Parks and Gardens Data Services Limited (PGDS). 2005. Parks and Gardens UK (www.parksandgardens.org).

Related records

TQ 56 NW 95Part of: Site of Hextable House, College Road, Swanley (Monument)