Many gardens, parks, cafés, coast and countryside sites and some houses are open for you to explore in the South East. When planning your visit, please follow government guidance and your local tier restrictions.
What’s closed?
In tier 3 and 4 areas, houses and other indoor areas remain closed and cafés are takeaway only. Please use the website to book your visit, and to check opening times and facilities before visiting us for a local walk.
Discover a variety of gardens and parks in Kent this winter. From the angular frost covered hedges at Sissinghurst Castle Garden and the views over the Kent countryside at Chartwell to the Old Castle rising from the mists at Scotney Castle, there's something for everyone.
Winter is all about wide open spaces, newly revealed views and misty landscapes. There's never a better time to wrap up warm, put on some walking boots and venture out into the fresh air.
History and nature merge seamlessly across the estate from the garden framed by the walls Sir Winston Churchill helped build, to acres of woodland and wider meadows. As winter takes hold, the views open up further across the Wealden landscape.
A late 19th century design, Emmetts Garden contains many exotic and rare trees and shrubs from across the world. With the leaves fallen from the trees, take in the views and enjoy the peace and tranquillity.
Visit the place that Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with. The world renowned garden they created together still looks beautiful in the winter with frost picking out the detail on hedges and seed heads.
Scotney Castle in Kent boasts a romantic garden with a view of the 14th-century moated castle and the Victorian country mansion and all in a beautiful wooded estate. Winter reveals bare branches that frame the views across the estate and throughout the garden.
Ightham Mote is surrounded by peaceful gardens with an orchard, water features, lakes and woodland walks. Sitting at the heart is the 700-year-old romantic moated manor house rising from the moat.
Although Knole House is now closed, you can still enjoy its grand exterior from the acres of surrounding parkland. Whilst the National Trust doesn't own the majority of the parkland, or manage the deer, pre-booked parking is available so you can stroll through the landscape that Henry VIII once loved.
Even bold adventurers don't need to go too far from home to tick off challenges from the '50 things' activity list. Here are our top ten ideas for activities that you can do in your own back garden, nearest park or outdoor green space.
Did you know that we produce podcasts? You can download episodes for free on a variety of subjects, from the stories behind our gardens, collections and outdoor places, to the houses that helped shape and influence the work of great writers.
Sissinghurst may be closed but that doesn't need to stop you getting your fix. Here's some tours of the garden and library to keep you going until they open again.
Knole might be closed but this great 14 minute film gives an intriguing insight into its history. Covering 500 years of different owners and their stories, grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy.
Bateman's may be closed at the moment but here's a way that you can take in its beauty from the comfort of your sofa. Watch and listen to one of Rudyard Kipling's poems narrated in his study accompanied by views of the garden.
