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Ightham Mote
KentOutstanding 14th-century moated manor house, gardens and estate
Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0NT
Important notice
The house is currently closed until Saturday 22 November as we prepare for 'A Timeless Christmas'. The gardens, café, shop and estate are open as normal. Booking is not required.
Opening times for 6 November 2025
Asset Opening time House Closed Café 10:00 - 16:00 Estate Dawn - Dusk Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Shop 10:00 - 16:00 The house is currently closed until Saturday 22 November. The gardens, café, shop and estate are open as normal. Last entry to the gardens is 3.30pm, closing at 4pm. Last entry to the café is 3.45pm, closing at 4pm. Booking is not required. Late night Christmas openings until 7pm are taking place on: Thursday 27 November, Thursday 4 December, Friday 5 December, Thursday 11 December, Thursday 18 December and Friday 19 December.
MTWTFSS2728293031123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930OpenPartially openClosedGarden only and Estate (3 - 21 Nov)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £8.80 £8.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £4.40 £4.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £22.00 £20.00 1 adult, 2 children £13.20 £12.00 House, Garden, Estate (22 Nov - 4 Jan)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £14.30 £13.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £7.20 £6.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £35.80 £32.50 1 adult, 2 children £21.50 £19.50 Group (Adult 18+) £12.35 Group (Child 5-17) £6.18 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Adventure playground/play area
Visit the natural play area where the kids can splash in the stream, play with the chimes, balance on beams and stepping stones and sit on cute piggies.
- Bookshop
There's a wide variety of second-hand books of all genres for all ages In Laundry Cottage and the Coach House.
- Café
Mote Café is open from 10am daily, serving tasty hot and cold food and drinks. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area.
- Car park
Free parking for National Trust members - please scan your card at car parking machine. £3 per vehicle for non-members. The car park has designated spaces for Blue Badge holders, along with family friendly parking.
- Cycle parking
Cycle racks can be found in the main car park.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs on short leads are welcome in all areas of the property; except the natural play area, enclosed garden and house. Owners can bring their dog into the café to order but are asked to use the outside seating area to eat and drink. Dogs kept under close control are also welcome on the estate countryside walks. Assistance dogs are allowed in all spaces.
- Electric vehicle charging point
Six 11kW electric vehicle charging points are available in the car park. Chargers can be accessed using the mobile app, RFID card, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging partner, RAW Charging's website to download the app before your visit.
Electric vehicle charging point - more information- Guided tour
Introductory talks about the house and garden tours take place daily from March to October (weather dependent and subject to volunteer availability).
- Kiosk
The café kiosk is open seasonally and offers drinks and light refreshments including soft scoop ice cream.
- Picnic area
Picnic tables are situated next to the café kiosk.
- Shop
The shop is located within the visitor centre and stocks a range of new and seasonal products, including a variety of plants in the outdoor area.
- Toilet
Located by the Mote Café and the Coach House. Baby changing facilities and accessible toilets are available in both locations.
- Accessible route and/or map
An accessible route is available through the garden and around South Lake. The ground floor of the house is accessible.
- Accessible toilet
Two accessible toilets are available at the Mote Café and the Coach House.
- Braille (guide or menu)
A braille guide to the house is available - ask at the house welcome in the outer hall.
- Designated parking
Parking for Blue Badge holders is available near the visitor centre.
- Drop-off point
Contact the visitor centre on arrival or call in advance on 01732 811732.
- Induction loop
Available in the café and shop.
- Large print (guide or menu)
A large print guide to the house is available - ask at the house welcome in the outer hall.
- Level access to food outlet
- Level access to shop
- Level access/terrain
- Narrow corridors
Some of the corridors in the house are narrow due to the historic nature of the building.
- Powered mobility vehicle available
The Tramper powered mobility scooter is available for visitors to use around the gardens and South Lake. Please call 01732 810378 for more information and to book in advance (line monitored Monday to Friday).
- Ramped access/slopes
- Seating available
- Steps/uneven terrain
Paths in the garden may become slippery after rainfall, please take care and wear sturdy footwear.
- Transfer available
The volunteer-driven shuttle buggy is available to transfer visitors to and from the house.
- Virtual tour
A virtual tour of the house is available - ask at the house welcome in the outer hall.
- Wheelchairs available
Manual wheelchairs are available for visitors to use around the ground floor of the house, gardens, shop and café. Please call 01732 810378 for more information and to book in advance (line monitored Monday to Friday).
- By train
- Hildenborough (4 miles) and Sevenoaks (7 miles) are both on the London Bridge / London Charing Cross to Hastings mainline. Sevenoaks (7 miles) is also on the Thameslink line from Bedford. Borough Green and Wrotham (3½ miles) are on the London Victoria to Ashford line. It is advised to take a taxi from the train stations listed as Ightham Mote is several miles away and would take well over an hour to walk to. Taxi ranks or phones are available at most of the stations.
- By road
- 6 miles north of Tonbridge on A227 - follow the brown sign to the left along High Cross Road, towards Ivy Hatch and turn left onto Mote Road; 6 miles south of Sevenoaks on A25 - follow the brown sign to the right along Coach Road. 16 miles west of Maidstone on A20/A25 - follow the brown sign to the left along Coach Road.Parking: Free parking for National Trust members. Non-members; £3 per car. Coin payment only.Sat Nav: Please use TN15 0NU What3words: ///model.dawn.young
- On foot
- Ightham Mote is just off the Greensand Way - the long distance walking route across Surrey and Kent.
- By bus
- Book ahead the Go To Service Bus from Sevenoaks Station by calling 01732 463964 or download the 'Go to Sevenoaks' app and book online.
- Cycling
- The roads around Ightham Mote are single carriage-way country roads with national speed limits. The nearest cycle route is the Tonbridge to Ivy Hatch Loop (see www.cycle-route.com for more details). Bike racks are available in the main car park.
Planning your visit
Events at Ightham Mote
Find out what's happening in the house, garden and estate this winter.
Article
A Timeless Christmas: 700 years of festive cheer
With the days drawing in and the temperatures starting to fall, it's time to start looking ahead to the festive season. Join us this Christmas as we time travel through 700 years of seasonal celebrations.
Article
Visiting Ightham Mote with the family
With walks, trails, a natural play area and acres of nature there is plenty to keep the family occupied on a visit to Ightham Mote this autumn and winter. Read on to find out how to get the best out of your visit.
Article
Visiting Ightham Mote with your dog
Ightham Mote is a two pawprint rated place. With so much space to explore your four-legged friend won’t be bored on a day out at Ightham Mote. Find out where they can go and what facilities are available on your visit.
Article
Group and education visits to Ightham Mote
Find out more about booking your group or school for a visit to Ightham Mote and the information you need to help you plan your trip.
Article
Eating and shopping at Ightham Mote
Pop into the Mote Café for something tasty at end of a winter walk. In the shop you can pick up a special gift, plant or homewares. Don’t forget to take a look in the two second-hand bookshops.
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Highlights
House
Romantic moated manor house with 700 years of history, architecture and stories under one roof.
Garden
Nestled in a hidden valley, 14 acres of tranquil garden, pleasure grounds, orchard, water features, lakes and woodland.
Estate
Over 500 acres of landscape carved from woodland, in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with a variety of walking trails.
Grade I listed dog kennel
Home to the only Grade I listed dog kennel in the UK, built in 1890 for Dido, the St. Bernard by Sir Thomas Colyer-Fergusson.
Natural play area
Splash in the stream, play with the chimes, balance on beams and stepping stones and sit on cute wooden piggies.
Mote Café
The Mote Café is open daily, serving tasty hot and cold food and drinks. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area.
Shop
Seasonal accessories and gifts, food and plants. Locally made products and souvenirs.
Second-hand bookshops
In Laundry Cottage and the Coach House, there's a wide variety of second-hand books of all genres for all ages.
Things to see and do
Article
A Timeless Christmas: 700 years of festive cheer
With the days drawing in and the temperatures starting to fall, it's time to start looking ahead to the festive season. Join us this Christmas as we time travel through 700 years of seasonal celebrations.
Article
Visiting Ightham Mote with the family
With walks, trails, a natural play area and acres of nature there is plenty to keep the family occupied on a visit to Ightham Mote this autumn and winter. Read on to find out how to get the best out of your visit.
Article
The garden at Ightham Mote
Make the most of the garden at Ightham Mote as we move from summer into autumn. There’s still plenty of colour and interesting things to be seen as the flowers continue to bloom.
Article
The house at Ightham Mote
Enter this medieval half-timbered house across a cobbled courtyard and into the hushed interior. Discover dark wood panelling, huge fireplaces and a mix of furnishings inside.
Article
The estate at Ightham Mote
As the weather becomes cooler, enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with misty moodiness and autumn colour across the Ightham Mote estate.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Ightham Mote
Pop into the Mote Café for something tasty at end of a winter walk. In the shop you can pick up a special gift, plant or homewares. Don’t forget to take a look in the two second-hand bookshops.
Top trails
Trail
Ightham Mote circular walk to Knole
This circular walk from Ightham Mote passes along the Greensand Way, through areas of outstanding natural beauty to Knole Park and back to Ightham Mote.
Trail
Ightham Mote circular walk to Oldbury Hill
Enjoy a picturesque circular walk from Ightham to Oldbury Hill, passing through an area of mixed woodland as well as fish ponds and an old quarry.
Trail
Ightham Mote circular walk to Old Soar Manor
This historical circular walk links two National Trust places dating to medieval times, while also taking you through the ancient woodland of Scathes Wood and into Fairlawne Estate.
Trail
Ightham Mote circular walk to Wilmot Hill
Enjoy the Kentish countryside from the Ightham Mote estate as you walk the periphery of a large part of its 580 acres. The walk incorporates Scathes Wood, the Greensand Way, Wilmot Hill and Broadhoath Wood.
Places to stay
Oldbury Hill Campsite
A peaceful woodland campsite near National Trust attractions, and an hour from London by train.
Upcoming events
Event
'Dido's Christmas Bones' family trail
Join Dido the Dog on a tail-wagging Christmas Adventure at Ightham Mote
Event
A Timeless Christmas: 700 years of festive cheer (22 Nov-4 Jan)
Celebrate 700 years of seasonal spirit and festive fun at Ightham Mote this Christmas.
Event
We wish you a Merry Christmas! Seasonal songs and carols
Nothing says Christmas quite like listening to carollers! Get into the festive spirit with seasonal songs and Christmas carols performed by our talented local community and school choirs.
Event
'Timeless Nights' late Christmas opening
Join us for ‘Timeless Nights’ - a rare chance to experience Ightham Mote after dark, open until 7pm on select Thursday and Friday evenings in November and December.
Event
Christmas Shopping Weekend: 29-30 November
Get ahead of the festive rush and discover unique Christmas gifts in our beautifully-curated shop.
Event
Christmas Crafts: Christmas candle book art workshop
Make a perfect eco-friendly decoration with literary charm, giving an old book a beautiful new life this festive season.
Event
Creative Christmas Crafts: Christmas Tree cards
Celebrate the start of the festive season by crafting a handmade Christmas tree–inspired card in this creative family session.
Event
Christmas Crafts: Christmas angel book art
Turn the pages of an old book into something truly magical this Christmas
About Ightham Mote
Hidden away in a secluded Kent valley, is this perfectly preserved medieval moated manor house. Emerging from the natural landscape almost 700 years ago, Ightham Mote is built from Kentish ragstone and great Wealden oaks. While its architecture and decoration trace the development of the English country house, its owners provide the stories of a once-cherished family home, evoking a deep sense of history. In the tranquil gardens there are streams and lakes fed by natural springs, an orchard, flower borders and a cutting garden. The wider estate offers walks with secret glades and countryside views.
History
Article
The history and owners of Ightham Mote
Uncover the 700-year history of this fascinating medieval house and estate. Discover all about the owners that shaped it over the centuries, their connections and lifestyles.
Art and collections
Ightham Mote's objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Ightham Mote on the National Trust Collections website.
Article
John Singer Sargent oil sketch of Elsie Palmer returns to Ightham Mote
The enigmatic face of Elsie Palmer, one of renowned artist John Singer Sargent’s most famous subjects, has returned to the English country house where he painted her.
Our work
Article
Our work at Ightham Mote
From the annual winter clean to one of the National Trust’s largest conservation projects, find out more about how Ightham Mode is cared for and what goes on behind the scenes.
Article
Unlocking the future at Ightham Mote
We’ve reached a major milestone in our ambitious project to secure the future of Ightham Mote. From a sustainable new Visitor Centre to upgraded paths and facilities, discover what’s new and what’s still to come.
Support us
Article
Volunteer opportunities at Ightham Mote
Find out more about volunteering at Ightham Mote and how you can play your part in looking after 700 years’ worth of history and bringing its stories to life.
