Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Kent

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.

Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB

Opening times
Prices
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The front range at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

M	T	W	T	F	S	S

Open

Closed

Opening times for 19 February 2026
Asset	Opening time
Garden	11:00 - 16:00
Estate	10:00 - 16:00
Restaurant	10:00 - 16:00
Shop	10:00 - 16:00
Tower	11:00 - 15:30
The Big Room (Library)	11:00 - 15:30
Coffee Shop	10:00 - 15:00
Exhibition	11:00 - 15:30

Last entry to the property is at 3:15pm. The exhibition space, tower and Big Room (library) close at 3:30pm. The South Cottage times may vary, please see our events page for more information. Our opening times will extend from 23 March 2026.

Whole property (until 22 March inclusive)
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
One adult family	£21.50	£19.50

Car parking (pay at Visitor Reception)
Ticket type	With Gift Aid	Without Gift Aid
		£4.00

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Bookshop
Café
Car park
Car parking is free for National Trust members. If you are not a member, car parking is £4 and can be paid at Visitor Reception.
Coffee shop
Our coffee shop has reopened and is located near the car park, next to our plant shop. Please visit our Opening Times for the daily opening hours.
Dogs allowed
Dogs on leads are welcome around the wider estate but are not allowed in the formal garden or the vegetable garden. If you wish to enter the garden with an assistance dog or another guide animal, please speak to Visitor Reception.
Electric vehicle charging point
8 22kw electric vehicle charging points are available in bay 1 of main car park. Chargers can be accessed using mobile app, RFID card, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging provider RAW Charging’s website (rawcharging.com) to download the app in advance of your visit. Chargers are only available during property opening hours.
Electric vehicle charging point - more information
Guided tour
Please visit our Events section for more information on garden and property tours.
Plant shop
Restaurant
Dogs are not allowed inside the restaurant but are allowed in the outdoor seating area.
Shop
Tea-room
Toilet
Toilets and disabled toilets are available next to Visitor Reception and the Restaurant.
Designated disabled parking in the main car park. Adapted toilet on level ground at visitor reception and via ramp at restaurant. Due to narrow pathways, pushchairs are not allowed in the main garden but carriers are welcome. There is a step free route around the property and garden, but please note that this may be difficult to navigate due to uneven terrain. Unfenced lakes, moat and ponds around the estate.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden_Access Map
More access information here
Accessible route and/or map
Accessibility routes are available on our main map of the site or upon request at Visitor Reception or the Garden Gate.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available next to Visitor Reception and at the Restaurant.
Designated parking
We offer several accessible parking bays in our car park, and offer bicycle parking down by Visitor Reception. Upon arrival, our stewards will direct you where to go.
Drop-off point
Drop-off and pick up at Visitor Reception, if required.
Level access to food outlet
Level access to shop
Narrow corridors
Seating available
Steps/uneven terrain
Wheelchairs available
Wheelchairs are available but must be booked before arrival.
Map
Directions via Google Maps
By road
2 miles north-east of Cranbrook, 1 mile east of Sissinghurst village on Biddenden Road, off A262. Keep a look out and follow for the National Trust brown signs, we are on the left if coming from Sissinghurst village and on the right if coming from Biddenden and Headcorn, there are black signs before the turning for our driveway.
Parking: 160 metres, £4 parking (non-members).
Sat Nav: Look out and follow for the National Trust brown signs, the sat nav may take you to the wrong address. The turning for Sissinghurst Castle Garden is on the left from Sissinghurst village and on the right when coming from Biddenden and Headcorn, there are black signs just before the turning for our drive on both sides.
On foot
From Sissinghurst village, go past the church to the footpath on the left, signposted to Sissinghurst Castle. The path can get muddy and is slim on the approach to the main drive. Once on the main drive, there's no designated path for pedestrians. Half way down the drive towards the house and garden, there is a clapper stile on the right where you can go along the hedge line in the field if you prefer.
By train
Staplehurst, approximately 5 miles. Please note that taxis should be booked in advance.
By bus
Arriva 5 Maidstone to Hawkhurst (passing Staplehurst train station), alight Sissinghurst, 1¼ miles walk - From Sissinghurst village, go past church to footpath on left signposted to Sissinghurst Castle. The path can get muddy and is slim on the approach to the main drive. Once on the main drive, there's no designated path for pedestrians. Half way down the drive towards the house and garden, there is a clapper stile on the right where you can go along the hedge line in the field if you prefer.
Cycling
NCN18, 8 miles. You can cycle to Sissinghurst from Staplehurst station, see this link which takes you down quiet country lanes after a short section on the A229 from the station.
Cycling - more information
Arriving by Taxi
If you arrive by taxi in the morning, please ensure you have pre-booked a return journey or have arranged transport home for when you leave, so as not to run the risk of not being able to book during peak times.
Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB
01580710700
sissinghurst@nationaltrust.org.uk

Planning Your Visit

There are lots of things to consider whilst planning your visit to Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Whether it's your first visit or your 100th, find out all the need to know information here.

A snowy view of the garden entrance at Sissinghurst

The South Cottage reopens (5 January - 25 February)

The South Cottage reopens to the public between 5 January - 25 February 2026. Immerse yourself in a day in the life of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in 1936 - set against the backdrop of the Abdication Crisis, significant 20th century politics, Sissinghurst's garden design, and personal loss. Open daily subject to volunteer availability. Find out more here.

Gardener at work, kneeling in a flowerbed in the South Cottage garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

February Half Term fun

Explore the estate with our winter spotter sheets, jump in puddles around the lake walks, challenge yourself to make it to the top of the Tower, browse for a new favourite read in the second-hand bookshop, get cosy in the restaurant with a lovely lunch, or rummage through a selection of children's toys in the shop. For more things to see and do as a family, click here.

Visiting family in the Sissinghurst garden

Site Map

View and download our site map here. Explore recommended routes around the wider estate which take you through working farmland, shaded lakes and tranquil woodland. A map of the garden is available on our garden article.

Passion and Politics: Sissinghurst and Greece

For the first time, diplomat Harold Nicolson's role in the fortunes of post-war Greece takes centre stage in this landmark exhibition. Discover his first-hand accounts of the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, his relationship with Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, and how his travels inspired his iconic home and garden here at Sissinghurst.

Gold embossed lettering on top of a worn album cover

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