Name: Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Rating: 5.0

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Biddenden Road, Ashford, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Sissinghurst Castle Garden vita Sackville-West, the poet and writer, began transforming Sissinghurst Castle in the 1930s with her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicolson. Harold's architectural planning of the garden rooms, and the colourful, abundant planting in the gardens by Vita, reflect the romance and intimacy of her poems and writings.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden was the backdrop for a diverse history; from the astonishing time as a prison in the 1700s, to being a home to the women’s land army. It was also a family home to some fascinating people who lived here or came to stay. We've undertaken research to find out more about Vita and Harold's original design and we are taking steps to recapture the vision that they had. Keep an eye out for changes we are making around the garden this year. Don't miss the vast panoramic views from the top of the Tower, the working farm and the 450-acre wider estate.

Price starts from £14.30 for Adults(18 years and over), £7.20 for Children(5-17 & under 5s free) and £35.80 for Family(2 Adults and up to 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The Garden: A symbol of love and horticultural ambition, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in the early 1930s. Designed in a series of 'rooms' with summer highlights including the Rose Garden and the White Garden.
Vegetable Garden: A No Dig garden bursting with fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit, having achieved Organic accreditation in 2023 from the Soil Association.
Tower: Home to Vita's Writing Room: Vast panoramic views of the formal garden, working farm and 450-acre wider estate from the very top.
The Big Room(Library): Nicknamed 'The Big Room', this atmospheric space was originally used for entertaining by Vita and Harold and is now home to exhibitions throughout the year.
Plant Shop: Take home a living piece of Sissinghurst with plants and seasonal vegetables that are grown right here on site.
Shop: Seasonal gifts ranging from stylish homeware, locally produced products, books and more.
The Second-hand Bookshop: A wide range of donated books ready to start their new chapter in life.
The garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden: Discover why Sissinghurst is famous as the epitome of the English garden and explore its series of garden rooms, each filled with different planting schemes and unique designs. Heralded for its beauty and diversity, the garden is a result of the creative tension between Harold Nicolson's formal design and the exuberant planting of Vita Sackville-West.
Exploring the buildings at Sissinghurst Castle Garden: Visit the Tower and Library, some of the few remaining buildings at Sissinghurst Castle Garden that Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson lived and worked in. Explore their writing retreats, entertaining spaces and viewpoints from which they designed and renovated the garden surrounding them.
Family activities at Sissinghurst Castle Garden: Enjoy a fun-filled family day out at Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Explore the estate walks, match colours in the garden and look for dragonflies.
The vegetable garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden: The vegetable garden at Sissinghurst Castle was created in 2008 and has been evolving since then into the plot that you see today, but there’s more to it than just a few vegetables. 
The estate at Sissinghurst Castle Garden: The Sissinghurst estate is 460 acres of beautiful Wealden countryside including 180 acres of woodland. Looked after by a team of rangers, it's a fascinating place to spot native wildlife all year round and a joy for walkers and horse riders alike. Tenant farmer John farms the land and rears Sussex cattle and Romney sheep.

Facilities

Parking: 160 metres, £4 parking (non-members).
Food & Drinks: Restaurant dogs are not allowed inside the restaurant but are allowed in the outdoor seating area.
Toilet: Toilets and disabled toilets are available next to Visitor Reception and the Restaurant.
Dogs allowed: Dogs on leads are welcome around the wider estate but are not allowed in the formal garden or the vegetable garden. If you wish to enter the garden with an assistance dog or another guide animal, please speak to Visitor Reception.

What to see

The history of Sissinghurst Castle Garden: Sissinghurst Castle Garden’s past is a complicated one, spanning many centuries, monarchs and uses. Delve into the past of one of the most intriguing places in the Weald of Kent.

For more information please visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/sissinghurst-castle-garden/the-history-of-sissinghurst-castle-garden

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult (18+): £24.20 with Gift Aid & £22.00 without Gift Aid.
Child (5–17) under 5s free: £12.10 with Gift Aid & £11.00 without Gift Aid.
Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £60.50 with Gift Aid & £55.00 without Gift Aid.
One adult and up to three children: £36.30 with Gift Aid & £33.00 without Gift Aid.

Pricing URL: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/sissinghurst-castle-garden#place-prices

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Garden: 11:00 - 16:00
Estate: 10:00 - 16:00
Restaurant: 10:00 - 16:00
Shop: 10:00 - 16:00
Tower: 11:00 - 15:30
The Big Room(Library): 11:00 - 15:30
Coffee Shop: 10:00 - 13:00
Exhibition: 11:00 - 15:30

Address: Biddenden Road, Ashford, UK

Post Code: TN17 2AB

Council: Tunbridge Wells

County: Kent

By road: 2 miles north-east of Cranbrook, 1 mile east of Sissinghurst village on Biddenden Road, off A262. Keep a look out and follow for the National Trust brown signs, we are on the left if coming from Sissinghurst village and on the right if coming from Biddenden and Headcorn, there are black signs before the turning for our driveway.
On foot: From Sissinghurst village, go past the church to the footpath on the left, signposted to Sissinghurst Castle. The path can get muddy and is slim on the approach to the main drive. Once on the main drive, there's no designated path for pedestrians. Half way down the drive towards the house and garden, there is a clapper stile on the right where you can go along the hedge line in the field if you prefer.
By train: Staplehurst, approximately 5 miles. Please note that taxis should be booked in advance.
By bus: Arriva 5 Maidstone to Hawkhurst (passing Staplehurst train station), alight Sissinghurst, 1¼ miles walk - From Sissinghurst village, go past church to footpath on left signposted to Sissinghurst Castle. The path can get muddy and is slim on the approach to the main drive. Once on the main drive, there's no designated path for pedestrians. Half way down the drive towards the house and garden, there is a clapper stile on the right where you can go along the hedge line in the field if you prefer.
Cycling: NCN18, 8 miles. You can cycle to Sissinghurst from Staplehurst station, see this link which takes you down quiet country lanes after a short section on the A229 from the station.
Parking: 160 metres, £4 parking (non-members).