Free children’s activities and a chance to learn its fascinating past
Hole Park (Cranbrook) may be best known for wonderful Spring flowers, notably its famous Bluebells, but the colourful Autumn display in this tranquil Wealden gem is a wonder to be enjoyed throughout the coming months.
Autumn red and gold on display at Hole Park
Once the bright colours of summer have faded, the gardens and woods explode into a riot of rich reds, yellows and golds and Hole Park’s autumn glory emerges. In fact, the trees and shrubs planted over the past 100 years were chosen with just this range of colour and contrast in mind.
A riot of colour to enjoy
The gardens are open on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout September and October from 11am to 6pm. In October, Hole Park is additionally open on Sundays for visitors to enjoy the unfolding of the golden season, before the gardens close for the year on Thursday 31th October until spring 2025.
Free Children’s Activities
The Hole Park team has created a number of free Autumnal activities for children as they explore the gardens and woods. Alongside a ‘wonderful wildlife walk’ trail there is a leaf hunt, helping children to identify leaves from the different trees, and a Pumpkin letter trail to make up an Autumnal word. Completed trails can be handed in to earn a reward sticker.
Autumn treats
Exploring finished, hungry visitors can head to the Coach House Tea Room for some delicious homemade soup and a Cranbrook Bakery roll or hot sausage roll. The Coach House will be serving light lunches, teas, cakes plus other refreshments on all open days. Free colouring sheets can also be picked up in the Coach House to keep little ones occupied at the table.
Dog-friendly
An autumn walk is one of the best ways to enjoy the `Golden Season’, especially if you have a canine companion. Dogs are welcome throughout the gardens and in the seating area outside the Coach House Tea Room, but not inside.
Guided History Tour
On Friday 11th October, there is a rare opportunity to discover the fascinating history behind Hole Park and its gardens from the current custodian Edward Barham.
The talk and tour begins at 10.30am and lasts for approximately two hours. Tickets are priced at £21 with a concession for current Season Ticket holders. This includes coffee/tea beforehand in the Coach House and exclusive access to the gardens afterwards when they are closed to the general public.
Garden entry prices apply, please visit https://www.holepark.com/visitor-information/ for further details