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Chiddingstone Castle opens for 2012 with a Daffodil Spectacular
By: Steve Ott
Chiddingstone Castle in Kent will be FREE to enter on Mothering Sunday, 18th March, as part of Visit Kent’s ‘Big Weekend’. 100 vouchers for the Castle will be available to download from the Visit Kent website.
Treat Mum to a special day at Chiddingstone Castle - FREE!
Visitors can choose to make their day extra special by booking a table in the pretty Victorian Tea Room for homemade cakes and cream teas – call 01892 872746 to make a reservation.
The grounds are transformed in spring as the Daffodil Spectacular unfolds. These cheerful flowers cover the East Lawn of the Castle, as well as into the woodland where visitors can also see pretty blue scillas, primroses and snowdrops. The extensive grounds also include a lake (available for fishing) which can be crossed via an attractive wooden bridge and a beautiful cherry blossom walk, waterfall and Grade II* Orangery.
Chiddingstone Castle will be fully open to visitors for the new season on Good Friday, 6th April and then on every Sunday to Wednesday from 11am to 5pm.
Visitors to the Castle can see the exquisite collections of the late and gifted antiquarian Denys Eyre Bower which include a mummified cat dating back to Ancient Egyptian times. In addition to the fascinating Egyptian collection there are many beautiful and intricate Japanese objects, including one of the finest collections of Japanese lacquer in the West, as well as Samurai swords and armour. There is also a Buddhist collection and interesting objects and paintings relating to the Stuarts and the Jacobite cause.
New for 2012 will be the opportunity to discover several authentic Victorian rooms. Visitors can enjoy the Victorian Kitchen, Scullery and Servants’ Hall; and group and school visitors only will be able to climb a secret spiral staircase to a Servant’s Bedroom in the Castle’s attic. A real ‘upstairs, downstairs’ experience!
Chiddingstone Castle hosts special family-friendly events all year based on the wonderful collections inside the Castle. In 2012 highlights will be The Egyptian Day on Sunday 15 April and the Japanese Day on Sunday 15 July. The Country Fair will take place on Sunday 16 September and children will love the Halloween event on Sunday 28 October. The popular Christmas Fair will take place in the castle on Friday 30 November 2012.
The historical National Trust village of Chiddingstone, which has been the location for some well-known films, including A Room with a View, The Wicked Lady and Elizabeth R, can be accessed from the Castle Grounds.
The website has details of events and how to book Chiddingstone Castle for Weddings and Parties, Group and School visits www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk or please telephone 01892 870347 with your enquiries.
The attraction is one of the Seven Wonders of the Weald www.sevenwonders.org.uk
Admission: Sunday to Wednesday 11am to 5pm £8 for adults, children under 5 free, children 5 to 13 £4. Family £21.50 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and up to 3 children). Groups (minimum 15 people) £7. Family season ticket £60.50. Adult Season Ticket £23. Car Parking £2 via an honesty box.
Press enquires to Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR on 01892 616647 or e-mail: caroline@penningtonpr.com
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