Great Maytham Hall December 2003 the Country Houses Association announced that it was closing down its residential business and selling the eight Grade I and II listed buildings it owned. The walled garden of Great Maytham Hall provided the inspiration for one of the most famous of all books for children, "The Secret Garden". Its author, Frances Hodgson Burnett, lived at Great Maytham Hall from 1898 to 1907, where she found the old walled garden dating from 1721 sadly overgrown and neglected. Aided by a robin, Burnett discovered the door hidden amongst the ivy, and began the restoration of the garden, which she
The Secret Life of Bees (novel) Morning America"'s "Read-This" Book club picks, and was nominated for the Orange Prize in England. The book was adapted into a film in 2008, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and produced by Will Smith, with Jada Pinkett Smith, as executive producer. Queen Latifah played August Boatwright; Dakota Fanning played Lily. Alicia Keys played June Boatwright; Jennifer Hudson played Rosaleen; and Sophie Okonedo played May Boatwright. The Secret Life of Bees (novel) The Secret Life of Bees is a book by author Sue Monk Kidd. Set in 1964, it is a coming-of-age story about loss and betrayal. It received critical acclaim and