Kent

Find fairy tale castles, a treasure house fit for a king, the home of Churchill and a world-renowned garden dedicated to beauty. These are just some of Kent’s highlights along with spectacular coastline, ancient woodlands and rolling downs. Discover what to see and do in the Garden County of England.

Places to visit

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Top places to visit in Kent

Chartwell

Family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill

Knole

Take in the scale and magnificence of this 600-year-old estate with its courtyards, showrooms, Gatehouse Tower and acres of parkland.

View of historic stone building, with blue sky and cloud above, green grass in the foreground and a large green-leaved tree to the left.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Historic, poetic, iconic: a refuge dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a world-renowned garden.

A view of the Rose Garden from the Elizabethan Tower at Sissinghurst

Scotney Castle

Ruined medieval castle. Victorian mansion house. Rolling parkland. Ancient woodland. Picturesque garden. With romance, drama and nature around every corner, Scotney is truly a castle for all seasons.

Ightham Mote

Outstanding 14th-century moated manor house, gardens and estate

The south east corner of the house reflected on the moat

The White Cliffs of Dover

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

Emmetts Garden

Edwardian hillside garden with year-round features

Pink roses in the Italianate Rose Garden with the fountain and a glimpse of the view in the distance

Quebec House

Childhood home of General James Wolfe, victor of the Battle of Quebec (1759)

Top things to do in Kent

A view of the Elizabethan gatehouse tower from the autumnal gardens at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Gardens in Kent

Spring blossom by the house at Scotney Castle, Kent

Houses and buildings in Kent

A summer view across the Weald of Kent from Mariners Hill, a National Trust countryside site in Kent

Countryside and woodland in Kent

People walking dog at One Tree Hill, Kent

Walking in Kent

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Family-friendly places in Kent

Dog-friendly places in Kent

People sat at tables enjoying eating and drinking inside the tea-room at Knole in Kent

Places to eat in Kent

A garden volunteer kneeling in the lower Alpine area at Emmetts Garden in Kent

Volunteering in Kent

Summer holidays in Kent

Get outdoors this summer and enjoy unforgettable family adventures set against the backdrop of our historic houses and gardens in Kent.

Family events in Kent

Fresh air this February half-term

Whatever your children are interested in and learning at home or at school our places are jam-packed with learning opportunities for families and home-schoolers and you can beat the crowds by coming before the school holidays. From exciting explorations about World War Two at Chartwell or Fan Bay Deep Shelter, Tudor History at Ightham Mote, Armour displays at Bodiam Castle, Archaeological discoveries at Knole and Smallhythe or the nature trails at Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Garden or Emmetts Garden, come and learn something new about Kent's amazing heritage, history and wildlife.

Two girls in summer dresses walking in a wildflower meadow

Pokémon joins Scotney Castle's Summer of Play

Ready to unleash your energy? On top of an already jam-packed Summer of Play, discover all-new Pokémon zones. Get stuck into the Pokémon trading, take part in mega games, flex your skills and collect stickers! 18 July - 6 September.

A cartoon of two children playing outside. One is juggling balls and the other is holding a pencil.

Top gardens to visit in Kent

Discover year-round interest in walled gardens, vegetable plots and borders – and one of the most famous gardens in the country.

Summer highlights

Kent’s Head Gardeners and gardening experts reveal their summer highlights. From hopelessly romantic old roses at world-famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden, to new exotic planting at Scotney Castle. Plus stunning Wealden views from Chartwell, and a slice of Italy in the rose garden at Emmetts Garden. Pause in Ightham Mote’s Quiet Garden, surrounded by 700 centuries of history. Fast forward to the early twentieth century in the rose garden at nearby Bateman’s, designed by Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling. For boutique beauty, try Smallhythe Place, Quebec House or Lamb House.

Visitors admire the stone columns and plants in the re-created Delos garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Autumn highlights

With gardens filled with colour and orchards hanging low with fruit, autumn is a great time for a day out at National Trust places nearby. Catch late flowers in the Purple Border in early autumn at Sissinghurst, and breathe in the intoxicating scent of the Katsura Cercidiphyllum japonicum (toffee apple tree) near the North Lake at Ightham Mote. Dahlias and sunflowers continue to bloom in the early autumn sunshine at Chartwell. Later in the season, spot weird and wonderful mushrooms emerging at Emmetts Garden.

Autumn leaves in the foreground at Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, Kent, with the ruins of the fourteenth-century moated castle in the distance

Winter highlights

Explore rich evergreens at Emmetts Garden and garden water features at Chartwell and Ightham Mote. Keep your eyes peeled for the pure white of snowdrops as they begin to grow. Our gardens offer peace and tranquillity in the winter months. Wrap up warm and take in their structural beauty.

A view over the misty garden at Ightham Mote manor house, complete with small bridge, pond and shrubbery

Spring highlights

Gardens in Kent burst into life in springtime. From sunshine-yellow daffodils at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, to beautiful blossom across the gardens at Chartwell and a sea of tulips at Emmetts Garden. The orchards are soon filled with fruit tree flowers, including heritage varieties in delicate pink and white. Magnolia trees are a particular favourite, lining the paths later in spring at Chartwell and Sissinghurst. Blue skies bring with them beautiful reflections in the lakes at Ightham Mote, whilst Scotney’s Flower Festival spreads spring cheer into the mansion house too. Discover more highlights for the spring season in Kent.

Apple blossom with the house in the background at Chartwell, Kent

Castles and forts in Kent

Scotney Castle

Ruined medieval castle. Victorian mansion house. Rolling parkland. Ancient woodland. Picturesque garden. With romance, drama and nature around every corner, Scotney is truly a castle for all seasons.

Oldbury Hill

Discover the remains of an Iron Age hill fort

Coast in Kent

The Kent coast is home to towering chalk cliffs and grass downland teeming with wildlife. Pack your binoculars and get ready to take in some fantastic views.

The White Cliffs of Dover

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

South Foreland Lighthouse

Striking and historical lighthouse high on The White Cliffs of Dover

Fan Bay Deep Shelter and Gun Emplacement at The White Cliffs of Dover

Explore Fan Bay Deep Shelter, the sound mirrors and gun emplacement in an immersive, hard-hat and head torch tour with our expert, friendly guides.

The interior of Fan Bay Deep Shelter in The White Cliffs of Dover in Kent, showing its arched corrugated steel construction

Outdoor activities in Kent

Cycling, riding and running at Toys Hill

With a network of bridleways, there are plenty of ways to explore Toys Hill including horse riding, mountain biking, road cycling and running on a 6km Run England route.

A cyclist enjoying a ride along a leafy lane in the Kent countryside

Walking at Toys Hill

Discover lots of walking routes, points of historical interest and wide-ranging views at one of Octavia Hill’s favourite places. Visit to see the landscape that inspired her.

Spring sun through the trees at Toys Hill, Kent

Places to stay in Kent

2 Bettenham Cottages

Immerse yourself in rolling farmland and peaceful countryside. This cosy cottage is the perfect getaway for friends and family.

Priest's House

Sitting on the edge of Sissinghurst Castle’s gardens, this is the perfect spot for garden lovers.

Sustainable travel

Whether you're looking to travel by train or bus. Plan your visit using greener travel options.

Sustainable travel in Kent

There are a number of sustainable travel options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Kent, whether you're looking to travel by train or bus.

A family of four enjoying a walk through a wooded area on the parkland at Knole in kent

Sustainable travel in Sussex

There are a number of sustainable travel options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Sussex, whether you're looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot.

Cyclist at Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex

Find your local Kent supporter group

Supporter groups in Kent

Join your local supporter group in Kent to meet people and enjoy talks, visits, holidays, outdoor volunteering and other social and fundraising events.