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.

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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.

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 White Cliffs of Dover

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

Emmetts Garden

Edwardian hillside garden with year-round features

Quebec House

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

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

Let little explorers loose in the outdoors. They'll love squelching in mud kitchens, scrambling across natural play areas and running free across open meadows and parkland at places like Chartwell, Knole and Sissinghurst Castle Garden.

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.

Perfect for pre-schoolers

From toddlers to children under 5 you'll find a delightful range of family-friendly events and play activities designed to spark curiosity and a sense of adventure. From enchanting garden trails at Scotney to engaging playtime sessions at Knole, little explorers can enjoy safe and exciting spaces while you relax in picturesque surroundings. Midweek during term time is a wonderful opportunity to avoid the crowds and experience our family nature play areas, join in with characters like Peter Rabbit and The Very Hungry Caterpillar and soak up the sunshine in our gardens.

A man pushing a pushchair along a path through lawned gardens with two toddlers – one walking behind and the other in front of him

New Moomin family trail at Bodiam Castle

We invite you to take a magical wander inspired by Moominvalley this winter, with a family trail around the castle, meeting characters from the Moomin stories from 17 January to 8 March 2026. Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis, 14th-century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments. The Moomins are a family of white and roundish trolls with large snouts, originally conceived and developed in 1945 by Tove Jansson in writing and illustrations. The Moomin family and their friends live an adventurous life in the idyllic and peaceful Moominvalley in harmony with nature. Come along to Bodiam Castle to see the beautiful Moomin-illustrated trail. Pick up a Moomin trail sheet and receive Moomin stickers when you find all the characters. Alongside each character is a QR code, that once scanned leads to a Moomin, which you can save onto your phone.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Oldbury Hill Campsite

A peaceful woodland campsite near National Trust attractions, and an hour from London by train.

Oldbury Hill Campsite

A peaceful woodland campsite near National Trust attractions, and an hour from London by train.

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

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.

A tour group in woodland at Scotney Castle, Kent

See all events

Toddler Mondays at Knole

Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent

Have you got a little one under 5? Then come along for a fun morning at Knole with babyccino coffee mornings and storytime in the bookshop.

Passion and Politics: Sissinghurst and Greece (Until 29 March 2026)

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, Kent

For the first time, diplomat Harold Nicolson's role in the fortunes of post-war Greece takes centre stage in this exhibition at Sissinghurst.

The South Cottage 1936

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, Kent

The South Cottage reopens for an immersive 'living museum' experience on select days in January and February 2026.

A token speaks a thousand words: Coram X National Trust

Quebec House, Westerham, Kent

Coram and National Trust Quebec House are inviting primary-aged children to help us create 469 tokens, representing each child who passed through the Westerham Foundling Hospital site.