Vita: Discover a story of love and life at Knole
Discover the story of Vita Sackville-West’s life at Knole.
- Booking essential
- Free event (admission applies)
Discover the story of Vita Sackville-West’s life at Knole through to her wedding and bittersweet departure in 1913. This story will be brought to life around you with a new multimedia tour guiding you through key moments in Vita’s life.
Explore the Great Hall, where you'll see wedding presents that were gifted to Vita and Harold alongside a marriage album assembled by Vita. A portrait of Vita by Philip de László, usually found in the Long Library at Sissinghurst, will also be on display.
Around the showrooms you’ll find delicately detailed paper sculpture recreations of the dress worn by Vita at her wedding, as well as outfits worn by other members of the wedding party. The mannequins are designed and created by artist Denise Watson, of Delicarta, 'bringing paper to life'.
This is a rare chance to see the original manuscript of ‘Orlando’, which is on show in the Ballroom. Seldom displayed due to its fragile nature, the manuscript has Virginia Woolf’s handwritten notes on.
In the Cartoon Gallery a copy of Chatterton, the first work that Vita Sackville-West published, is displayed.
Continue your journey to the Orangery to see the contemporary art installation by artist Lorna Johnson. The piece consists of 150 hand sewn scented ruffles that symbolise strong female figures who ruffled feathers to move society forward, just like Vita.
This event is included with normal admission to Knole (showrooms, outdoor and tower ticket required) - there is no separate ticket.
Times
Prices
Event ticket prices
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Check admission pricesThe basics
- Booking details
Call 0344 249 1895 Please pre-book your visit to Knole.
- Meeting point
Please go to the Visitor Centre to purchase admission tickets or to have pre-booked tickets redeemed.
- Accessibility
The majority of the showrooms are upstairs. There is step-free access to the Great Hall. The Orangery is accessible via the lift in the Bookshop. Please see Access Statement for more details.
- Other
This event is included with normal admission to Knole (showrooms, outdoor and tower ticket required) - there is no separate ticket. Normal admission charges to Knole apply. Admission tickets to Knole become available approximately 4 weeks in advance. To use the National Trust car park, pre-book admission per person (not per vehicle) to guarantee entry. National Trust members visit and park free; non-members will need to purchase an admission ticket to Knole.
Upcoming events
Attic tours
Hidden above the showrooms lie Knole's attics. Join a behind the scenes tour to explore these spaces and see a different side to Knole.
Lord Sackville's private garden open days
Lord Sackville’s private garden at Knole is a beautiful space, featuring sprawling lawns, a walled garden, an untamed wilderness area and a medieval orchard.
Vita at home: Knole and Sissinghurst - A talk with Robert Sackville-West
Sorry, this event is now fully booked.
Knole Fawns toddler group
Make new friends and chat while your little ones play at Knole Fawns parent and toddler group.