9 June 2025

Beating Retreat: historic military spectacle returns to Hole Park

A historic ceremony and military spectacle is returning to Hole Park in Rolvenden, Kent, next month for the first time in over a decade.

On Tuesday 8th July Hole Park will host the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) Kent Branch Annual Beating Retreat Ceremony in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, the Lady Colgrain who will take The Salute.
 
 

The event is also billed as a ‘musical extravaganza' as celebrated Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas joins the Cranbrook Town Band to play during the early evening Reception for this ticketed, family-friendly event. The Queens Regimental Association Corps of Drums will also play ahead of the formal ceremony.

Wine, soft drinks and canapes will be served during the Reception, which starts at 18:30, followed by Beating Retreat, with The Last Post flag-lowering ceremony concluding proceedings at 20:45.

There will also be a static display of vehicles and other military artefacts for guests to view during the Reception.

"Beating Retreat was a frequent ceremony in this country's past military calendar for centuries, but it is now an annual special event which we are delighted to welcome back to the gardens," said Hole Park owner Edward Barham.

"This ancient spectacle was last held here in 2011, when we marked 100 years since the purchase of the property by my great grandfather, Colonel Arthur Barham. It's a huge honour to be hosting it once again and particularly in a year when the gardens have been recognised as finalist in the prestigious Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award*."
 
 

Col Arthur Barham was the second in an unbroken line of six generations to have served in the army: a tradition which continues today with the latest Barham generation and the future custodians of Hole Park.

The family-friendly event is by ticket only in aid of the ABF Kent Branch and tickets can be purchased via the Hole Park website. Tickets are priced at £25 per adult and £10 for children (under 16).

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For further information please contact:

Alison Miles, Press Office, Hole Park Estate, Benenden Road, Rolvenden, Kent TN17 4JA
pressoffice@holepark.com  DL: 01580 241344

Notes to editors

About Hole Park

Set in 200 acres of classic English parkland,Hole Park is a hidden gem of the High Weald National Landscape. It has been owned by the Barham family for the past four generations, having been purchased as a family home by Edward Barham's Great Grandfather, Colonel Arthur Barham, in 1911. In the mid-1920s the Colonel made the bold decision to share the beauty of his recently-created gardens, by opening them to the public: a tradition that is maintained to the present day. Over the decades, each succeeding generation has improved and innovated the layout and planting in the gardens.

The current custodians, Edward and Clare Barham, moved into Hole Park with their three children and dogs in 2003. Since then, they have undertaken a comprehensive re-planting programme of the garden which reflects and enhances the Colonel's original plans from the 1920s. Edward and Clare both take an active role in managing the gardens. This includes public opening days, so they are often found selling tickets in front of the house, serving in the Tea Room or walking their dogs around the gardens.
 

Hole Park is open daily 11am to 6pm from Tuesday 1 April until Monday 30 June inclusive, moving to Wednesdays and Thursdays (11am-6pm) only during July, August and September. Sundays are added during October when the gardens close at 4pm (dusk). The gardens are completely closed from November to April every year.

The Garden of the Year Award

Hole Park is one of eight finalists in this year's Garden of the Year Award, run by Historic Houses. The prestigious national award, presented annually since 1984 and sponsored by Christies, is designed to recognise the importance of some of the country's most spectacular gardens with outstanding horticultural and public appeal. The final winner is decided through an online vote by members of the public who judge the gardens based on a variety of factors that contribute to their enjoyment as visitors. Voting is open from now until the end of August at: https://www.historichouses.org/vote-goya/ with the winner revealed in November.