Mount Ephraim Gardens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Ephraim Gardens |
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Looking across the lake at Mount Ephraim Gardens towards Hernhill
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| Location | Hernhill, near Boughton Street, UK |
| Area | 10 acres (40,000 m2) |
| Operated by | The Dawes Family |
| Status | Open March–September, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as Bank Holidays. |
| Collections | Japanese garden, topiary, rose garden, grass maze and rock garden |
| Website | http://www.mountephraimgardens.co.uk/gardens/ |
Mount Ephraim Gardens is a beautiful garden with terraces. It was designed in the Edwardian style (the early 1900s). You can find it in Hernhill, near Faversham, in the English county of Kent.
Contents
Discovering Mount Ephraim's Past
The amazing Mount Ephraim Gardens surround a big house and a huge 800-acre estate. The house was first built way back in 1695. It was then rebuilt in 1878 and made even bigger in 1913. The Dawes family has owned this special place for a very long time.
Both the house and its gardens are very important historic places. They are listed as 'Grade II' on the National Heritage List for England. This means they are protected because of their history and beauty.
The gardens were first created in the early 1900s. After some difficult times, they were lovingly brought back to life by Mary and Bill Dawes starting in the 1950s. Mary Dawes helped run the gardens every day until she passed away in 2009. She was 93 years old. Mary always took great care of the gardens herself.
Exploring the Gardens
Mount Ephraim Gardens is home to many different plants. You can see a large collection of spring bulbs, trees, and shrubs. These include beautiful Rhododendrons, many types of Camellias, and lovely Magnolias. The gardens have several unique areas to explore.
The Millennium Rose Garden
One special spot is the Millennium Rose Garden. It is filled with many different kinds of roses. This garden adds a lot of color and sweet smells to the area.
The Sweet Chestnut Tree
There is a very large Sweet Chestnut tree in the gardens. This tree was planted to remember a famous battle called the Battle of Waterloo. It stands as a living reminder of history.
The Miz-Maze: A Fun Challenge
The 'Miz-maze' was planted in 2004 on a hillside where a vineyard used to be. It's named after Mary Dawes, who lived at Mount Ephraim for 60 years. Her family and friends called her 'Miz'.
This maze was designed by Sarah Morgan. It looks like an ancient labyrinth but has some dead ends. This makes it a mix between a maze and a labyrinth. The paths are made of grass and marked with tall, colorful ornamental grasses and pretty perennial plants.
The Rock and Water Gardens
The rock garden and water garden are connected. They feature a series of calm pools. These pools are decorated with a Japanese stone bridge and stone lanterns. It's a peaceful place to visit.
Amazing Topiary Art
The garden's topiary is very special. The plants have been carefully cut into shapes of different birds and animals. You can also see shapes that look like things from the First World War, all made from clipped yew trees.
The Long Herbaceous Border
There is a long herbaceous border in the garden. A brick wall protects it from the wind. This area is full of color throughout the flowering season. It's a great place to see many different types of flowers.
The Arboretum: A Living Memorial
The arboretum is a collection of trees. It was planted to celebrate Mary Dawes' 80th birthday. It also marks 300 years of the Dawes family owning Mount Ephraim. This area is on a raised mound, giving you amazing views of Blean woods, Hernhill church, and the Miz Maze.
The Historic Ha-ha
The gardens also include a Ha-ha. This is a type of hidden wall or ditch that keeps animals out without blocking the view. It was built in the 18th century from red brick. It's about 3 feet high and around 100 yards long, with a unique double curve.
Images for kids
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Looking across the lake at Mount Ephraim Gardens towards Hernhill
