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Emmetts Garden
Interesting hillside garden with year-round features
Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 6BA
Important notice
We are expecting to be busy during the bluebell season and may have to close the car park if full. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Opening times for 16 April 2024
Asset Opening time Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Car Park 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Cafe 10:00 - 16:30 MTWTFSS12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293012345OpenPartially openClosedNovember – February
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £11.00 £10.00 Child £5.50 £5.00 Family £27.50 £25.00 One adult and up to three children £16.50 £15.00 March – October
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £14.30 £13.00 Child £7.20 £6.50 Family £35.80 £32.50 One adult and up to three children £21.50 £19.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Book shop
Second hand bookshop in Visitor Centre.
Shop
Seasonal National Trust ranges for home and garden.
Car park
Free.
Tea room
Old Stables Tearoom serving hot and cold drinks, cakes and light lunch options.
Dogs
Dogs on short leads welcome in garden.
Toilet
By Visitor Centre and next to Tea Room.
Plant shop
Peat-free plants, plus pots and garden ornaments.
Steep paths and steps in places. Woodland path is uneven and non-tarmacked. Accessible toilets. Buggy available (dependent on staff levels).
Accessible route and/or map
Garden partly accessible, steep slopes and steps in places. Map of accessible route available from Visitor Centre.
Level access to shop
Accessible toilet
By Visitor Centre and next to Tea Room.
Powered mobility vehicle available
Tramper available to pre-book, please call 01732868381.
Braille (guide or menu)
Braille guide to whole property available in Visitor Centre.
Seating available
Seating available throughout garden.
Designated parking
Seven accessible parking spaces, the furthest of which is 24m from Visitor Centre.
Steps/uneven terrain
Garden partly accessible, steep slopes and steps in places.
Induction loop
Fixed induction loops available in Visitor Centre and tea room.
Transfer available
Buggy available to take visitors from Visitor Centre up steepest part of slope (not suitable for electric wheelchairs). This is a volunteer-run service and we advise phoning on the day to check availability.
Level access to food outlet
Wheelchairs available
Limited number of outdoor wheelchairs available from Visitor Centre.
By road
1½ miles south of A25 on Sundridge to Ide Hill road, 1½ miles north of Ide Hill off B2042, leave M25 exit 5, then 4 miles. Exit at junction 5 on the M25. Use the left lane to continue on Sevenoaks Bypass/A21. Merge onto Westerham Road/A25 via the slip road. Continue along A25 into Sundridge. Turn left onto Church Road. Continue onto Sundridge Road and turn right into Emmetts Garden.
Parking: Parking is included in admission.
On foot
From Ide Hill village (½ mile). Weardale walk from Chartwell (3 miles) -- guide leaflet available
By train
Sevenoaks station is 4½ miles away; Penshurst station is 5½ miles away. Sevenoaks stations has a taxi rank outside to get to Emmetts Garden.
Planning your visit
Spring adventures at Emmetts Garden
Come for a welly wanging, bunny hopping spring adventure at Emmetts Garden for the Easter break. Challenge friends and family to some fete-inspired family games on the meadow and burn off some energy in our wild play area. 10 am – 4pm, Monday - Sunday until 14 April. Normal admission fee applies.
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Visiting Emmetts Garden with your dog
Emmetts Garden is a three pawprint rated place. Share a stroll around Emmetts Garden with your dog. Allowed in all areas of the gardens, there’s no better place for them to spend a day.
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Family days out at Emmetts Garden
Enjoy family-friendly fun and outdoor play in the fresh air at Emmetts Garden, all set against a backdrop of glorious Edwardian garden, on one of the highest points of the Kentish Weald.
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Group visits to Emmetts Garden
Organising a group trip to Emmetts Garden? Here’s what you need to know.
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Highlights
Rock Garden
Varied alpine plant collection, arranged amongst special garden features imitating mountainsides, streams and rocky outcrops.
Rose Garden
Formal early 20th-century Rose Garden, featuring traditional pink and white roses, framing wide vistas out over the Kent countryside.
North Garden
Display of horticulturally-distinct plant specimens, planted in their ideal natural conditions such as bog, shade or rock.
South Garden
Extensive collection of trees and shrubs, each different to the next; many were brought to England from international expeditions.
Woodland
Varied woodland including a pinetum featuring unique specimen pine trees. Fills with thousands of bluebells in spring.
Old Stables Tearoom
Hot and cold drinks, cakes, bakes and light lunch options in the old stables, with seating within the stalls.
Shop
Seasonal National Trust ranges for home and garden, peat-free plants, local products and souvenirs.
Wild Play Area
Natural children’s wild play area, with swings, a ball run, balance beams, den building areas and more.
Spotlight events
Easter adventures at Emmetts Garden
Come for a welly wanging, bunny hopping spring adventure at Emmetts Garden for the Easter break. Challenge friends and family to some fete-inspired family games on the meadow and burn off some energy in our wild play area. 10 am – 4pm, Monday - Sunday until 14 April. Normal admission fee applies.
Things to see and do
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The garden at Emmetts Garden
Find a garden area to suit your taste here at Emmetts Garden. With different and diverse designs, and views that are always impressive, there's something to see at any time of year.
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Family days out at Emmetts Garden
Enjoy family-friendly fun and outdoor play in the fresh air at Emmetts Garden, all set against a backdrop of glorious Edwardian garden, on one of the highest points of the Kentish Weald.
Top trails
Trail
Weardale walk from Emmetts Garden
This beautiful circular walk links Chartwell and Emmetts Garden; passing through the woodland areas of Toys Hill and Hosey Common, as well as the pretty hamlet of French Street.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Emmetts Garden
Stop for refreshments at the Old Stables Tea Room, with indoor and outdoor seating. In the shop you'll find seasonal ranges for the home and garden, local products and peat-free plants.
Places to stay
Priest's House
Sitting on the edge of Sissinghurst Castle’s gardens, this is the perfect spot for garden lovers.
The Morris Apartment
A one-bedroom apartment in trademark Arts and Crafts style, on the second floor of Standen House.
Scotney West Lodge
A pretty gatehouse on the Scotney Castle estate, with a tucked-away garden.
Upcoming events
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Geology Treasure Hunt: May Half Term Trail
Join us this May half term and discover the secrets of fossils, dinosaurs and geology!
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Outdoor Theatre: Persuasion by This Is My Theatre
Enjoy Jane Austen’s classic brought to life at Emmetts Garden this summer
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Outdoor Theatre: Hamlet by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer at Emmetts Garden!
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BSL Emmetts Garden Highlights Tour
Join our Head Gardener on a tour of Emmetts Gardens accompanied by a BSL Interpreter.
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Music on the Meadow: Biggin Hill Band
Join us for an afternoon of music from the Biggin Hill Band!
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Music on the Meadow: Medway Concert Brass
Pack a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of music on the meadow!
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Outdoor Theatre: Five Children & It by This is My Theatre
Join us for an inventive reimagining of this ever-popular story!
About Emmetts Garden
Charming Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian estate that was owned by Frederic Lubbock, becoming both a plantsman's passion and a much-loved family home.
The garden was laid out in the late 19th century, and was influenced by William Robinson. It contains many exotic and rare trees and shrubs from across the world.
Standing on one of the highest spots in Kent, Emmetts Garden offers panoramic views over the unspoilt Weald as well as some great walking opportunities.
When you visit, you can explore the rose and rock gardens, take in the views and enjoy shows of spring flowers and shrubs, followed by vibrant autumn colours.
History
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History of Emmetts Garden
Discover the history behind Emmetts Garden where Frederic Lubbock displayed his rare and international plant collection.
Our work
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Our work at Emmetts Garden
Take a look behind the scenes at Emmetts Garden in Kent and discover the work that goes into keeping this special place looking its best.
Support us
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Volunteer at Emmetts Garden
Help us look after this special place by volunteering your time and skills. Make new friends, learn about the estate and share your passion for gardens with people from all walks of life.