My favourite 12 places where to see apple & cherry blossoms in Kent

I have lived in Kent for nearly three decades and in early spring I love nothing more than spending my weekends exploring our local gardens and orchards when they are covered in pink and white petals.

The “Garden of England” really lives up to its name in April and May, but the blossom doesn’t stay for long. You have to catch it while you can!

From the famous National Fruit Collection at Brogdale to hidden gems like my favourite Falconhurst gardens, I’ve put together 12 best places where you can see apple, pear and cherry blossoms this spring.

Cherry, Apple & Plums Blossom Season

The blossom season is fairly short, usually running from early April to mid-May. The good news is that if you miss the cherries, the apples are usually right behind them!

Plums and Damsons (Late March – Early April): These are the “early birds.” I love seeing the tiny, pure white flowers of the plum trees appearing on bare branches before the leaves even start to show.

Cherries (Early to Mid-April): This is the one everyone waits for! The “Great White” cherries and the pink “Kanzan” varieties usually hit their peak in mid-April. I’ve found that the second week of April is usually the “magic window” for places like Brogdale or Riverhill.

Pears (Mid to Late April): Pear blossom is incredibly delicate and usually pure white with little red-tipped centres (those are the anthers!). They tend to flower just as the cherries are starting to fade.

Apples (Late April – Early May): I think apple blossom is the prettiest because it’s so often “two-tone”—dark pink buds that open into soft pink or white flowers. If you’re visiting Penshurst Place or Belmont in early May, you’ll likely see the orchards in full apple bloom.

Quince and Medlar (Mid to Late May): These are the latecomers. They have much larger, single flowers that look a bit like wild roses. If you’ve missed the main “blossom season,” look out for these in the heritage gardens like Belmont.

1. Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

I think the best thing about Riverhill Himalayan Gardens is the “Little Everest” viewpoint, but for blossom lovers, the Walled Garden is the place to be. I love how they’ve kept the traditional apple trees in the terraced gardens; seeing the pink-and-white petals against the modern sculptures and those huge views over the Weald are just magic.

• Location: Riverhill, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RR
• Opening Times: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Re-opens 11th March 2026)
• Tickets: Adults £14.00, Children £7.50 (Note: They are a cashless site!)

2. Brogdale Collections

I like to think of Brogdale as the “jewel in the blossom crown” because it’s home to the National Fruit Collection. With over 4,000 different fruit trees, the sheer variety of pinks and whites here is just incredible.

• Location: Brogdale Farm, Faversham, ME13 8XZ
• Opening Times: Daily 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Tours usually run April–May)
• Tickets: £20 for a year long pass (visit as often as you like)

3. Down House (Home of Charles Darwin)

I love visiting Down House because you’re basically walking through Darwin’s “outdoor laboratory.” He had a huge interest in orchards, and today you can still see the beautiful apple and pear trees in the kitchen garden that he used for his experiments. The cherry blossoms looked amazing and I just couldn’t resist taking few photos amongst the trees!

• Location: Luxted Road, Downe, Orpington, BR6 7JT
• Opening Times: Usually 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Check for seasonal weekend-only openings in early spring)
• Tickets: Free for English Heritage members; paid entry for non-members (cheaper if booked online).

4. Hever Castle and Gardens

I love the history here, and the blossom in Anne Boleyn’s Orchard at Hever Castle is simply stunning. The ‘Encore’ apple trees produce these beautiful white flowers that make the whole orchard look like it’s been dusted with snow.

• Location: Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG
• Opening Times: Gardens open from 10:30 am
• Tickets: Book online for the best rates; includes castle and garden access.

5. Falconhurst Garden

If you want a real “hidden gem” near Edenbridge, I love Falconhurst Garden. It’s been in the same family for over 170 years, and it has this lovely, lived-in feel. The organic market garden is full of fruit trees, and the views looking out towards Ashdown Forest are just spectacular. I think it’s the perfect place to escape the crowds and enjoy a quiet coffee from their farm shop barn with the pretty views of cherry blossom trees.

• Location: Cowden Pound Road, Markbeech, Edenbridge, TN8 5NR
• Opening Times: Re-opens 28th March 2026; Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
• Tickets: Gardens & Walks: £8.00 (purchased at the Farm Shop).

6. Mount Ephraim Gardens

This is a wonderful family-owned spot where the Prunus ‘Shirotae’ (a type of cherry) puts on a spectacular show. I think the best thing about Mount Ephraim Gardens is how the frothy white blossom blends in with the magnolias and camellias. The side of the house is the perfect place to enjoy a tea (and a homemade scone!) sitting under the pretty magnolia trees.

• Location: Staplestreet-Boughton, Faversham, ME13 9TX
• Opening Times: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (Wednesdays to Sundays)
• Tickets: Available at the gate or online.

7. Penshurst Place and Gardens

The walled gardens at Penshurst are a real treat in April. I think the Flag Garden is the star of the show for cherry and pear blossom, but don’t miss the Nut Garden where the crab apples bloom over a carpet of bluebells.

• Location: Penshurst, Tonbridge, TN11 8DG
• Opening Times: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Tickets: Separate tickets for gardens only or house and gardens.

8. Ightham Mote

Ightham Mote is one of the places I visit several times a year as it’s great to see the gardens and trees changing through the seasons. I love walking along the high path to see the pink-tinged cherry blossom framing the old moated house—it’s like something out of a postcard.

• Location: Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT
• Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Tickets: Free for National Trust members; paid entry for non-members.

9. Belmont House and Gardens

If you want something a bit more peaceful, I love the kitchen garden at Belmont House. It was restored by the famous designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd, and it’s packed with traditional apple and pear trees. I love how they’ve kept heritage varieties that you just don’t see in the supermarkets anymore, and in April, the whole walled area feels like a secret blossom sanctuary.

Later in the season you can also find there other traditional fruit trees like medlars and quinces.

• Location: Belmont Park, Throwley, Faversham, ME13 0HH
• Opening Times: April – September, Thursday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Tickets: Adults £10, Children (12-16 years) £4

10. Leeds Castle

The new Sakura Cherry Tree Project at Leeds Castle is breath-taking. They have a whole avenue of Japanese cherry trees that were donated in 2021, and when they are in full bloom, the pretty colours against the castle backdrop are just magic.

• Location: Maidstone, ME17 1PL
• Opening Times: Daily from 10:00 am
• Tickets: Tickets stay valid for a whole year, which is great value.

11. Bedgebury National Pinetum

While it’s famous for conifers, I think the best-kept secret at Bedgebury is their collection of flowering cherries specially planted on both sides of long walking path. In their ‘Cherry Tree Avenue’ they have some lovely “Great White” cherry trees (Prunus ‘Tai-haku’) that look like giant white clouds when they are in full bloom against the dark green pines.

• Location: Lady Oak Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ
• Opening Times: Daily from 8:00 am
• Tickets: You pay per car (standard is £11-£16 depending on the day), so it’s a great one for a family day out.

12. Bentinck Farm

If you want to see a proper, working Kentish orchard, I love this spot near Tunbridge Wells. They have some incredible 60-foot-tall heritage cherry trees that are just a spectacular sight in the spring, along with acres of smaller apple and cobnut trees.

• Location: Bentinck Farm, Romford Road, Pembury, TN2 4BB
• Opening Times: Best to check their website for “Blossom Day” events or PYO dates.
• Tickets: Often free to visit the farm shop area, but check for specific orchard tour prices.

This blog post was originally published on 29 December 2025 and last updated on 29 December 2025