Secret Gardens Spring Out to Scoop Top Award

The Secret Gardens of Sandwich have blossomed during the recession to scoop a top regional business award.

The Gardens, which sit alongside the quay at Sandwich, pipped a bunch of local businesses to be voted winners in the Leisure and Tourism sector of the KOS Media £1 Million Business Challenge.

Their prize, presented at a glittering Gala Dinner at The Mariott Tudor Park Hotel, Maidstone, gives them a prestigious advertising and marketing package with KOS Media worth £50,000.

More than 200 entries were received in 10 categories from firms and organisations hoping to impress the judges with their passion, drive and vision and the Secret Gardens, which re-opened in 2008 after extensive restoration, shared the honours with Chatham Historic Dockyard, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary year.

Secret Gardens’ owner Dominic Parker said: “We are delighted to have been chosen from all the entries to receive this award, especially as we are relative newcomers to the tourism and leisure industry in Kent.

“This past year has seen the garden quite literally bloom; our visitor numbers have rocketed and revenue has increased by 300%. This award gives full recognition to the team effort here at the Secret Gardens and we are all highly excited by the future possibilities.”

KOS Media’s MD Paul Stannard said: “We wanted to encourage businesses and organisations to stand up in the face of the downturn and show that Kent’s business community is determined to thrive and not just survive.

“We challenged them to give us a reason to help them reach out to more of their customers and communities with our £1m advertising and marketing prize fund.”

The Gala Dinner produced quite a spread for Sandwich, whose Bell Hotel was highly commended, along with Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, also in the Leisure & Tourism category.

The Secret Gardens are a Lutyens/Jekyll designed garden which have been lovingly restored at a cost of more than £2 million by the present owners after years of thorough neglect.

Open throughout the year, there is a wide variety of things to see including a Tropical Border, Spring Garden, Vegetable, Kitchen, White and Yellow Gardens, all of which combine to create a many “roomed” effect, providing something new to look at around every hedge.

The Secret Gardens are open seven days a week.

Standard ticket prices:

Adults £5.00
OAP £4.50
Children (under 16) £3.00
Child under 6: FREE

Prices correct at time of going to press.

For more information contact Jane Shotliff on 01622 870272 or Simon Clubley at The Wow Factory on 01233 713 852