Gardens and parks in Kent

From traditional rose beds at Chartwell, to a kaleidoscopic cutting garden at Ightham Mote, our gardens are filled with vibrant colours, scented displays and relaxing spaces. Visit throughout the summer to see what’s new, and bring back some inspiration for your own garden. Every time you wander among the blooms, you help us plant new varieties for the following year.

Front view of Sandham Memorial Chapel, Hampshire

Places in the South East where you need to book 

Some of our places we care for in the South East of England will be opening with guided tours, so you’ll need to pre-book before your visit. These tours will be led by expert volunteers and will show the places in a new light. You may also need to book in advance at some other larger places, where visitor numbers need to be carefully managed for practical reasons.

See which places in the South East you need to pre-book
The roses and fountain at Emmetts Garden, a National Trust place in Kent
Emmetts Garden   Kent

Emmetts Garden

The North Garden is home to unusual trees in summer, such as the wedding cake tree and the Chilean lantern tree. In the rose garden, an abundance of pink blooms unfurls whilst the Rock Garden is a kaleidoscope of colour.

Visit this scent-filled garden
The summer herbacious border is blooming, and climbing roses adorn the rustic archways
Ightham Mote   Kent

Ightham Mote

Discover glorious herbaceous borders and the heavenly lavender walk. Sweet peas bring a variety of flowers, colours and scents to the cut flower beds. The orchard path with wildflower meadows connects the formal and informal garden areas.

See this kaleidoscopic summer garden
The golden rose avenue at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent
Chartwell   Kent

Chartwell

Sir Winston Churchill’s family home is alive with colour from technicolour sweat peas to blooming lilies and majestic weigela. The Golden Rose Avenue is also in its prime. Fifty varieties of rose total in excess of four hundred individual blooms.

Visit this technicolour garden
Scotney Castle summer Old Castle flower bed
Scotney Castle   Kent

Scotney Castle

The scene-stealing results of work to restore historic views from the Bastion down to the Old Castle are on show. The walled garden is stocked with fruit trees and velvety roses. Wisteria and old English roses adorn the old castle walls whilst the surrounding herbaceous beds throw out new colours along the winding pathways.

A little oasis in the heart of the garden
The White Garden in July at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent
Sissinghurst Castle Garden   Kent

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

The cottage garden is a carpet of colour as the Mme Alfred Carriere climbing rose unfurls. In the famous White Garden, rosa mulliganii cascades over the central arbour with thousands of white, scented blooms. A new mindfulness trail takes you past wildflower meadows across the estate.

From monocolour to a carpet of colour
Smallhythe Place wild flowers

Smallhythe Place 

Over the winter, the gardeners were busy enriching the soil and planting bulbs. Over 50 variations of summer roses along the 170ft rose pergola recreate the look and feel of the garden as it was in Ellen Terry’s day.

Visit this Kentish gem
A path through the garden at Stoneacre

Stoneacre 

Distinct 'rooms' in the front garden showcase a variety of colours in summer. Gentle yellows of the 100-year old Ginkgo biloba tree watch over borders filled with purples, reds and oranges. An old orchard and meadow at the back have a wilder, more unkempt feel.

Discover the garden