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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Daffodils in the grounds at Chartwell on a sunny spring day, Kent

Place

Chartwell

Family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill

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.

Place

Knole

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

The top courtyard at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Place

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.

The circular 14th century Ashburnham Tower at Scotney Castle with irises growing in the moat in the foreground and the later ruins behind.

Place

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.

View of the South East Quarter of Ightham Mote Mansion

Place

Ightham Mote

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

Image of visitor walking along the clifftop at the White Cliffs of Dover, Kent on a sunny day in August

Place

The White Cliffs of Dover

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

Spring flowers bloom and new leaves appear in the north garden at Emmetts Garden

Place

Emmetts Garden

Edwardian hillside garden with year-round features

Apple blossom in the garden at Quebec House

Place

Quebec House

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

Pink, white and yellow dahlias in the Walled Garden at Chartwell, 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

Father and his three sons playing chase in the garden at Chartwell.

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

May Half Term in Kent

Join us and a whole host of your favourite characters for May half-tem fun at places across Kent. Meet Peter Rabbit at Knole, follow the dragonfly trail at Sissinghurst Castle Garden or learn about the heroes and heroines of war at Ightham Mote and Chartwell. Discover our family-friendly trails, spring spotter sheets and acres of buggy-friendly gardens with fun activities for your family to do along the way.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Kent is home to an enormous number of incredible period buildings, dramatic coastlines and stunning beauty spots. So it will come as no surprise that several places near you have been used as filming locations for blockbuster movies and epic TV series and dramas..

More about Hidden Treasures

Collection and House Manager Kirsty Mitchell and the Secretaire at Lamb House

Article

Lamb House on BBC Two's Hidden Treasures series 3 on 16 May, 9pm

Appearing in episode 1 house officer Kirsty Mitchell and her expert team bring celebrated author and resident Henry James' writing room, the Green Parlour, and one of it's important features, his secretaire or writing desk, back to their former glory enabling visitors to see the very place where James and other literary giants penned their famous books.

Person filming a statue of a naked woman by a staircase

Article

Knole to feature in episode 2 of BBC Two's Hidden Treasures series 3

Episode 2 delves into Knole’s rich history through the restoration of two remarkable pieces. The Sackville Family Patents and Pedigrees or family trees are painstakingly restored ready for public display from 2nd June and the controversial La Baccelli statue of famous ballet dancer and mistress is expertly repaired and back in pride of place at the bottom of the Great Stairs.

Two conservators working on various blue & white porcelain at the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole, Kent

Article

Royal Oak Foundation at Knole in multiple episodes of Hidden Treasures

Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio, located at Knole is a specialist facility dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic artifacts from National Trust collections, where expert conservators meticulously repair paintings, furniture, textiles, ceramics, and decorative arts. Many items featured in the series were repaired at the studio with staff and cutting edge techniques demonstrated in multiple episodes of Hidden Treasures.

A view of the red bricked house at Chartwell with terraced gardens below and a blue sky above

Article

Chartwell plays itself in The Darkest Hour

Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill was the backdrop for The Darkest Hour, starring Gary Oldman, and shows Churchill as he becomes Prime Minister and goes on to make crucial decisions during World War Two.

Place

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.

Woodland pathway through Oldbury Hill, Kent

Place

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.

Place

The White Cliffs of Dover

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

A man and a child are walking a black-and-white dog through a grassy field towards South Foreland Lighthouse, Kent. The lighthouse is painted white and stands against a grey cloud that's hanging in the sky.

Place

South Foreland Lighthouse

Striking and historical lighthouse high on The White Cliffs of Dover

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

Activity

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.

Spring sun through the trees at Toys Hill, Kent

Activity

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.

2 Bettenham Cottages

Immerse yourself in rolling farmland and peaceful countryside. This cosy cottage is the perfect getaway for friends, family and one well-behaved dog.

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.

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

Bicycle leaning against a wall at Ightham Mote, Kent.

Article

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.

Cyclist at Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex

Article

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.

A tour group in woodland at Scotney Castle, Kent

Article

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.

See all events

Event

VE Day 80. Children's Trail

Chartwell, Westerham, Kent

Discover more about Chartwell's wartime characters and celebrations in this interactive family trail round the gardens.

Event

Signs of Spring Family Trail

Emmetts Garden, Sevenoaks, Kent

Spring has arrived at Emmetts Garden. Pick up a spotter trail sheet at the Visitor Centre and explore the gardens.

Event

Saving Ightham: celebrating 40 years of Ightham Mote's legacy

Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Kent

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Charles Henry Robinson gifting Ightham Mote to the National Trust.

Event

Guided Garden Tours: Scotney's Rhododendron Walks 21 April - 16 May

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

See Scotney Castle's beautiful array of rhododendrons and learn how we manage the invasive varieties.

Event

Islandness- A visual storytelling exhibition

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

This year's exhibition at Scotney focuses on the work of Kent based visual storyteller, Rebecca Douglas, translating nature's stories into compelling visual narratives through photography, video, drone speaking and writing.

Event

'Between the Covers with Vita' Exhibition (10 February 2025 - 7 September 2025)

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, Kent

This exhibition explores the literary prowess of author Vita Sackville-West, accompanied by colourful commissioned artwork by Sarah Tanat-Jones. Runs 10 February 2025 - 7 September 2025. Booking not required.