Sissinghurst Castle estate walk
Exploring Sissinghurst’s gardens can be complemented by a walk around the surrounding estate.
Discover the highlights of the 450-acre wider estate
Nestled in the heart of the Weald, this landscape inspired the creation of a world-class garden and the prolific writing of Vita Sackville-West.
Map
Start:
National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ807384
1
From the car park follow the path towards the castle. Walk to left of the castle and continue along the medieval moat, following it round to the right at the gazebo. Continue along this path, through a gate and down the hill towards the lake. At the bottom of the field, go through the gate and turn left around the lower lake.
The gazebo
Look out for the gazebo in the corner of the garden by the moat. It looks out over the estate and wider Wealden countryside. It was built as a memorial to Harold Nicolson (diplomat, author and politician and husband of writer Vita Sackville-West) and was used by Harold's son, Nigel Nicolson, as a writing room.
2
After crossing the second bridge, turn right and continue along the ride through the traditional coppice woodland.
3
After 380yd (350m) you will reach a way marker. Here, you have two options: Shorter route (marked on map), turn right and continue up the hill across Park Field towards the car park. To continue on the longer route (marked on map) bear left then right and continue 4609yd (420m) along the ride until you reach the edge of the woodland, where you will find another way marker. Turn right down a narrow path and continue over the stile into Park Field.
4
Bear slightly to the left across the parkland, taking in the views of the castle and estate. At the next stile cross the drive and enter Bull and Birches Woods. Follow the path for 66yd (60m) then turn right along the public footpath up the field. At the top turn right, pass through the second double gate then bear diagonally left across the orchard.
The tower
Built in the 16th century, the Tower was used as a viewing platform for deer hunts on the 700-acre deer park surrounding the Elizabethan house during the 16th and 17th centuries. Later, in the 1850s, the woodland was cleared to create the parkland that can still be seen today.
5
Cross the track and join the bridleway, passing the vegetable plots on your right and continue along this track until you reach a way marker. Turn right into the field and follow the margin until you come to a metal gate.
Sissinghurst Castle Farm
The vegetable plot, visible from parts of the walk, is a new feature for the estate and supplies the restaurant with seasonal vegetables. Over the next few years the farm will evolve into an organic mixed farm supplying meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables, and is managed so as to benefit wildlife and the environment. The arable crops are grown in rotation with grass for grazing, winter fodder and livestock bedding.
6
At the gate bear right on to the lane and follow this to the next gate on your right. Go through this gate onto the path, taking in the views before continuing over the stream back to the castle.
End:
National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ807384
