The area's woodland conceals over 30 small manor houses, castles and beautiful parks and gardens. Nine are managed by the National Trust and include its most visited property - Wakehurst, the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other highlights include Bewl Water - the largest area of inland water in the South East of England, Harrison's Rocks - a 1.5km sandstone climbing crag and Bedgebury Forest which has  22km of cycle tracks.

Open farms and woodlands provide a countryside experience; and a car-free view of the landscape can be enjoyed from one of the area's 3 steam railways.

Wild and wonderful Marle Place Gardens, near Horsmonden, has an extended wildlife area. Read more	Restoration piece The 80-yard double herbaceous border at Penshurst Place reopens this summer, restored to a design by the Chelsea gold medallist George Carter. Read more
Let's play At the National Trust's Standen property the area where the Beale family's children played is being opened into a play area for modern youngsters. Read more	Woodland Secrets 'Nymans Woods' is a publication that will encourage visitors to explore the woodland surrounding the National Trust garden at Nymans. Read more
Pondlife The murky pond at Rudyard Kiplings house, Batemans, in Burwash has been transformed Read more	Explore garden history The area, with it proliferation of notable gardens, provides a potted history of landscaping fashions.  Ashburnham Park, Sheffield Place, Battle Abbey and Brightling, all represent the "gardenles... Read more