Hall Place and Gardens is one of my favourite green spaces in Dartford.
It’s easy to spend a few hours waking around the perfectly manicured gardens, flowers and admiring the beautiful Tudor house.
Where else can you hold baby owls in Kent?!
Hall Place Jambs Owls
Learn everything there is to know about owls, see different species and even hold them! I think the owls were my favourite part of Hall Place and Gardens. Even if some of the owls were massive…
Hall Place Butterfly House
I love visiting Botanic Gardens (see my photos of the Barbican Conservatory, Belfast Botanical Gardens and Kew Gardens). While Hall Place’s is a lot smaller, it’s definitely worth visiting as you can see from my photos below.
Hall Place Gardens
Hall Place is perhaps most known for it’s incredible topiary. It was fun trying to work out what they were – some were easier to guess than others! The gardens are award winning, having won the Civic Trust’s Green Flag award every year since its inception in 1996 and also have coveted Green Heritage Site status. The gardens are free to visit too.
Hall Place House
What is the history of Hall Place Gardens?
- Medieval Origins: The site of Hall Place has medieval origins, with the first recorded mention dating back to 1241. The estate was initially a substantial family residence.
- The Walsingham Family: In the 16th century, Hall Place became the property of Sir John Champneys, a wealthy merchant. In 1537, Sir John’s daughter, Cecily, married Sir William Sidney, and the estate passed into the ownership of the Sidney family, including the famous Sir Philip Sidney.
- Tudor and Stuart Periods: Under the Sidneys, Hall Place was expanded and improved. The house underwent renovations in the Tudor and Stuart styles, and the gardens were likely developed during this period.
- 18th Century: The estate went through various owners in the 18th century, including the Austen family. Changes were made to the gardens during this time, adapting them to the prevailing landscape design trends.
- Famous Residents: In the 19th century, Hall Place had several notable residents, including Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the Hellfire Club. Subsequent owners, such as Sir John Champneys and Sir Thomas Townshend, made further modifications to the estate.
- Bexley Urban District Council: In the early 20th century, Hall Place became a public park. The Bexley Urban District Council purchased the estate in 1926, preserving it for public enjoyment.
Information for visiting Hall Place and Gardens
Address: Bourne Rd, Dartford, Bexley, DA5 1PQ
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