Explore The Manor Gardens.
Welcome to The Manor Gardens, a private 14-acre open-air woodland and landscaped garden venue, nestled within the picturesque North Kent Downs countryside and the wider Birling Estate.
The Manor Gardens is an exclusive-use venue which offers a variety of stunning spaces, each with its own unique charm and character. With sustainable principles at its core, the spaces are designed to create a nature-immersive experience and is available to hire for a small number of private events each year.
Gather beneath a canopy of ancient trees, with dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and birdsong providing the soundtrack to your celebration.
Whether you’re planning a sustainable woodland wedding, private or corporate event, wellness retreat, or green filming location; the natural beauty of its secluded gardens offers an idyllic setting, where you and your guests can escape from the ordinary and create memories that will last a lifetime.
In 2035, the Nevill family will have been custodians of the Birling Estate for 600 years and 20 generations. We’ve taken inspiration from our family crest – Ne vile velis – ‘form no mean wish’ – to govern our approach to the next phase of the Estate’s continuing story.
Probably our favourite Nevill of Birling over the generations is Sir George, 5th Baron Bergavenny.
Sir George was Chief Larderer for Henry VIII – the renowned gourmond – and also competed for him in France in 1520 on the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Not one to sit around, he also held the post of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
His son, Henry Nevill, also managed to keep in with the Royal Family; Queen Elizabeth I is recorded as having visited him in Birling for a few days as part of her travels in 1573.
The Manor of Birling was originally part of the possessions of Odo, Bishop of Baieux, half-brother of William the Conqueror. Following that Ralph de Curva Spina resided at the Manor House of Birling called Comfort until 1154, it then passed through various families to Elizabeth Beauchamp, daughter of the Earl of Worcester, who married Sir Edward Nevill in 1435. At that time it was a deer park and has remained in the Nevill family ever since.
The very shortlived Birling Manor House was built in the 1830’s by the Hon. Rev. William Nevill, later the 4th Earl of Abergavenny. But early in the morning of 17th January 1917, fire broke out and the house was almost totally demolished – bringing to an end what was at the time a central part of village life.
If you look carefully, the remains of Birling Manor House can still be found, hidden amongst the woodland glade that claimed the ruins – now a beautiful woodland blessing area.
Venue
There is plenty of scope at The Manor Gardens for you to be creative and to create your outdoor event, your way.
Weddings & Private Events
Exclusive access to the ground for up to 5 days and a free reign to use which ever suppliers you choose.
Corporate Events & Wellness Retreats
Did your best idea come when you were sitting in front of your desk, in a meeting, or was it when you were taking a walk when you had some mental space to think?
