Great Comp Garden
Great Comp Garden
4.5
About
A garden paradise. A hidden gem. Fabulous, folly-filled garden and home to one of the finest collections of Salvias in the country. Great Comp Garden, near Sevenoaks, has built up an enviable reputation over the years as being one of Kent's finest gardens to visit. Come and explore our wonderfully quirky garden showcasing 7 acres of beautiful and rare plants surrounding a 17th century manor house. This hidden gem of a garden is home to an Italian Garden, romantic ruins, enchanting woodland walks and the Old Dairy Tearooms. In Spring this tranquil garden erupts into bloom with numerous Magnolias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons, underplanted with large drifts of Helebores and bulbs while summer brings warmth and extravagance from one of the most comprehensive and exciting collections of Salvias in Europe. Ornamental grasses in great variety punctuate the colourful borders and combine beautifully with the myriad colours of late autumn. The garden is the delightful creation of Roderick and Joy Cameron who moved to Great Comp in 1957. They opened the garden to the public for charity in the early 1960s. The gardens are now run by the Curator William Dyson. This year's programme of special events include: Spring Fling Plant Fair Sunday 13th April 2014 Great Comp Summer Show 9th & 10th August 2014 Autumn Extravaganza Craft Fair 11th & 12th October 2014
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4.5
179 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
61
Average
17
Poor
6
Terrible
2
Trish C
33 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Despite it being 2 days after Storm Ciaran we had a lovely visit to Great Comp. We were given helpful advice about conditions underfoot. The garden is a good size and there is plenty of seating. The trees are splendid and gave plenty of autumn colours as did the salvias - you can tell they are a passion. We look forward to growing the one we bought.
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham A
Chatham, UK24 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This is an idyllic place with lovely gardens, specialising in a whole variety of salvias. It is so peaceful here, friendly staff. The Old Dairy Tea room provided wonderful freshly prepared food. We sat on the terrace to eat it, then had a leisurely walk around the gardens. The gardens have various garden rooms. There is a newly planted area of bamboos, planted by members of Royal British Legion.
All in all a really nice day and superb place to visit.
All in all a really nice day and superb place to visit.
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth Q
3 contributions
Jun 2023
Visit today and to the cafe where the food was AMAZING. Tasted homemade and of unexpectedly high quality - best quiche I have ever had and the pea and mint soup incredible. Good Prices too.
Garden had some lovely features.
Garden had some lovely features.
Written 28 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, this is very much appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Written 6 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
happyramblerKent
Kent77 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Beautiful garden that never disappoints even after visiting it for over 30 years. Azaleas and rhododendrons spectacular at the moment (May). Because of the intricate network of narrow paths you can walk for a long time without repeating the vistas provided. The only reason we did not award 5 stars was the over-priced tearoom – we were charged £3 for a teabag served in a paper cup although our receipt described it as ‘a pot of tea’. In past years it seemed much better value.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for taking the time to review your recent visit, we are so pleased to hear the garden has been a joy to you for over 30 years. We are sorry to read your comments re the tearoom prices - the charges are benchmarked with similar tearooms, and I'm afraid the dishwasher broke last week and we had to use disposable cups. Using disposable cups meant that we could keep the tearoom open whilst we waited for an engineer to fix this. I am pleased to confirm that this problem has now been rectified and the tearoom are back serving drinks and food with our usual china plates and teapots.
Written 6 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gordon M
West Malling, UK35 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
A small hidden gem. Many beautiful and often unusual flowers and trees. Lots of places to sit and relax and take in the view or listen to the birds singling.
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annabellacottonsocks
Redhill, UK205 contributions
Mar 2023
We visited Great Comp on a sunny, but chilly, March morning. It was our first visit and won't be our last.
There were a few other visitors but it wasn't busy and the only sound was birdsong- lots of birds to see too ; bluetits, long tailed tits, robins, goldfinches,blackbirds.
The garden is very natural and there were large drifts of hellebores and daffodils under the trees. In the more formal areas the herbaceous perennials were just beginning to make an appearance in the borders and the trees were full of blossom. The various ruins ( we were intrigued as to what these might have been) add to the charm of the garden.
We had a very tasty lunch and excellent coffee in the attractive tea room where we were served by a friendly member of staff.
At the end of our visit we looked at the plants on sale, which all looked very healthy specimens, and bought five.
We are looking forward to a return visit in the Summer months, as no doubt the garden will be full of interest and colour.
There were a few other visitors but it wasn't busy and the only sound was birdsong- lots of birds to see too ; bluetits, long tailed tits, robins, goldfinches,blackbirds.
The garden is very natural and there were large drifts of hellebores and daffodils under the trees. In the more formal areas the herbaceous perennials were just beginning to make an appearance in the borders and the trees were full of blossom. The various ruins ( we were intrigued as to what these might have been) add to the charm of the garden.
We had a very tasty lunch and excellent coffee in the attractive tea room where we were served by a friendly member of staff.
At the end of our visit we looked at the plants on sale, which all looked very healthy specimens, and bought five.
We are looking forward to a return visit in the Summer months, as no doubt the garden will be full of interest and colour.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nnmercman
Camberley, UK13,802 contributions
Oct 2022
Visited late October shortly before it closed for the season on 31st. This was our first visit and although it was damp underfoot we had a wander round the gardens and woodland. It wasn’t busy and plenty of space in the car park (there are a few disabled bays outside the entrance if you drive further down the access road). Picnics are only allowed in the car park but there’s a cafe inside the grounds (only accessible if you pay to enter the grounds, which I think is a missed opportunity?). The cafe is a very cosy place with large woodburner and cheerful staff - prices were reasonable in my opinion. The main house was covered in scaffolding but it’s not open to the public anyway. Garden plants are for sale just inside the entrance.
Will make a return visit in the summer months to see the difference.
Will make a return visit in the summer months to see the difference.
Written 29 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathryn S
West Malling, UK10 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
A magical tranquil oasis and a delight for the senses. Beautiful courtyard cafe with amazing cakes, many places to sit, reflect and enjoy the beauty of the garden, and a lovely place to walk. The salvias are glorious and I usually ending up buying at least one or two more each time we visit. Friendly staff too.
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie V
1 contribution
Jun 2022
The garden is absolutely beautiful - we have visited numerous times and always enjoy ourselves.
However, the prices in cafe are extremely high - £2.90 for a cardboard cup of tea with the milk presented in a clear plastic pot! The quiche was tasty, served with a salad and crisps but at £9.95 made for a very expensive lunch,especially as it was served in a disposable box. We will not be using the cafe again.
Before leaving we visited the nursery which had a lovely selection of plants. We bought several, spending almost £30, but the attitude of the staff member taking the money was quite unfriendly with virtually no conversation and when we asked for a box for our plants it was just shoved through the window at us.
This is definitely one of our favourite gardens to visit and we have numerous plants bought from there in our garden, but the cost and choice in the cafe desperately needs addressing and maybe a little training in customer relations for staff!
However, the prices in cafe are extremely high - £2.90 for a cardboard cup of tea with the milk presented in a clear plastic pot! The quiche was tasty, served with a salad and crisps but at £9.95 made for a very expensive lunch,especially as it was served in a disposable box. We will not be using the cafe again.
Before leaving we visited the nursery which had a lovely selection of plants. We bought several, spending almost £30, but the attitude of the staff member taking the money was quite unfriendly with virtually no conversation and when we asked for a box for our plants it was just shoved through the window at us.
This is definitely one of our favourite gardens to visit and we have numerous plants bought from there in our garden, but the cost and choice in the cafe desperately needs addressing and maybe a little training in customer relations for staff!
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara M
4 contributions
May 2022
Sunny afternoon spent in a wonderful garden. We went to dedicate a bench to my late parents in a garden they loved to visit.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5* review, this is very much appreciated. We are very grateful for your donated memorial bench, and are so pleased your parents enjoyed visiting our garden.
Written 14 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John M Moore
4 contributions
are small dogs on lead welcome?
FanofAslan
4 contributions
No; only assistance dogs are allowed in to the gardens.
Stephen R
Beverley, UK278 contributions
When is the best time to visit Great Comp in order to see Salvias at their best?
Christina B
Great Yarmouth, UK91 contributions
I would say late summer.
SueLH
Orpington, United Kingdom41 contributions
Is this garden wheelchair friendly?
VikkiRimmer
Sevenoaks, UK5 contributions
Hi Sue, there is disabled parking infront of the house and easy access here to a pathway that goes from the entrance hut through the garden past the main lawn into the Italian garden and on to the tearooms. There is outside seating at the tearooms with sun umbrellas and if you want to go inside there is access beside the disabled toilet. The pathways are uneven in places as befits the gardens style. The woodland pathways may be difficult if strength is an issue. It is possible to cross the lower lawns via a wheelchair (if being pushed or chair is motorised) and there is seating dotted around. I hope this helps!
higginshiggins10
Maidstone, UK
Are you wheel chair friendly
VikkiRimmer
Sevenoaks, UK5 contributions
Hello.
Yes we are - there are hard pathways from the entrance hut which take you round to the Old Dairy Tearoom where there is good outdoor seating, but there are steps up into the tearoom here to enter the inside seating. There is access to the inside of the tearoom via the back of the shop close to the disabled toilets.
The lawns are well kept so it is possible to cross them by wheelchair.
There is disabled parking at the front of the house.
If you need to speak to somebody direct, please call:01732 885094
(during garden open times 11am – 5pm)
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Claim your listingGREAT COMP GARDEN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Great Comp Garden
- Great Comp Garden is open:
- Thu - Sat 11:00 - 15:00
- Hotels near Great Comp Garden:
- (0.78 mi) Pretty Maid House Bed & Breakfast
- (1.09 mi) Orchard Pods
- (0.72 mi) Premier Inn Maidstone/Sevenoaks Hotel
- (7.21 mi) Kits Coty Glamping
- (0.57 mi) Barn Cottage
- Restaurants near Great Comp Garden:
- (0.75 mi) Royal Oak Beefeater
- (1.44 mi) The Moat
- (1.98 mi) The George at Trottiscliffe
- (2.07 mi) Bowleys at The Plough
- (3.32 mi) The Hilltop Restaurant