Kent is known as ’the garden of England’. When I was researching what to see in this area I came across images of bluebell woods, blooming at the time we were to be here. Looking just gorgeous underneath trees. Well, we are here , but no bluebells. Spring is late, and the ‘bluebell barometer’ says that they will be blooming while we are in Turkey. Disappointing, but the daffodils are out everywhere and there are gardens aplenty, so we decided we would go to a large garden where maybe some bluebells in a sunny corner have managed to beat the crowd. 
 
   
 
In pursuit of the bluebell we went to the gardens of Hever Castle near Edenbridge. Hever Castle is famous for being the childhood home of Anne Boleyn .The Boleyns built a Tudor dwelling inside the walls (the inside was empty as it was built as a ‘bailey‘, just walls to provide protection in a secured location).
 
On entering, it was interesting that we walked through typical stone walls and immediately entered a courtyard with Tudor style architecture. The dwelling within is four levels of rooms with timber panelled walls, decorated in a very warm and comfortable style. Much of this was done by the wealthy American Astor family, who used the castle as a residence for 80 years from 1903.

   
 
The gardens are huge, with the obligatory lake, maze, walled garden etc. Lovely to see, but NO bluebells. Another gorgeous day to be outside however, clear and sunny and everywhere families out enjoying the sun after the long winter. 
 
For us it was now 1pm and a long time since breakfast. Now in search of lunch, we were delighted when we walked out the castle gates to smell roast meat. We hadn’t noticed the ‘The Henry VIII Inn’ just around the corner, and like so many inns here, they have traditional Sunday lunches. So in another ‘gezellige’ (as the Dutch would say) pub we had roast pork. We should have ordered one meal between two - far too much for one, but it was well cooked and the red cabbage and apple sauce were delicious. 

   

 
Going home we diverted through Tunbridge Wells for a few groceries (not much Sunday shopping here), and drove back along the small roads to Hollingbourne. Kent has always been know as a hop growing area, and in this area are quite few oasthouses that have been coverted to domestic houses. Some are very large, and had we noticed in the newspaper that the prices are high as well.
   
 
A lovely day it was, even if no bluebells. Tonight is  the last night here, as tomorrow night we stay at a hotel near Gatwick Airport before leaving for 3 ½ weeks in Turkey.