|
The Town Council bought the derelict gardens from Kent
County Council in 1992 and was successful in being awarded
a Heritage Lottery grant for their redevelopment together
with the provision of a heritage centre.
The Heritage Centre and Gardens are based on the site
of the first house built in Hextable which was utilised
as the Swanley Horticultural College in 1889, the first
horticultural college in the world for women. The Heritage
Centre was the former college laboratory and tells the
story of the college from its inception until it was
bombed in 1944, and is home to many local artefacts
and items of historical interest.
There are lawns, formal planted areas and walkways
with a pergola, together with a nature trail and environmental
areas within the gardens. Hextable Gardens are linked
to Swanley Park by a wonderful avenue of lime trees
and provide a very welcome quiet area within a short
walk of the very popular Park.
The Centre is also home to North West Kent Family History
Society’s archives and is open to the public free
of charge. Group visits are welcome by prior arrangement.
‘The Gallery’ is a new addition to the
Centre and consists of a collection of art and craft
workshops with a display area; the Centre is also available
for lettings to small groups.
The Town Council organises events and activities within
the Gardens and is always on the lookout for volunteers
to help develop some of the perennial and other flower
beds within the gardens. |
