Skip to content

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.

Places to visit

0

Top places to visit in Kent

The house at Chartwell, Kent
Place
Place

Chartwell 

Family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill

Westerham, Kent

Fully open today
View of historic stone building with green grass and deer in front of the building. There is blue sky with a few clouds and a partial view of a green-leaved tree on one side.
Place
Place

Knole 

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

Sevenoaks, Kent

Fully open today
A view of the Rose Garden from the Tower at Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Place
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.

near Cranbrook, Kent

Fully open today
A view of Scotney Castle
Place
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.

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Fully open today
The south east corner of the house reflected on the moat
Place
Place

Ightham Mote 

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

Sevenoaks, Kent

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

The White Cliffs of Dover 

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

Dover, Kent

Partially open today
Splashes of autumn colour set against a bright blue, cloudless sky in the South Garden at Emmetts Garden, Kent
Place
Place

Emmetts Garden 

Edwardian hillside garden with year-round features

Sevenoaks, Kent

Fully open today

Top gardens to visit in Kent

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

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.

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.

What's on for families 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 at places like Chartwell, Knole and Sissinghurst Castle Garden.

A girl in a pink coat looks happy as she throws fallen leaves into the air

Family-friendly places in Kent 

Find inspiration for your next family day out in Kent, with nature-themed activities ranging from spotting fish to bug hotels.

Ghosts at the Mote trail at Ightham Mote

October half term in Kent 

There are tricks and treats galore at our places in Kent for spooky season. From ghostly trails to secret curses and even pumpkin parties, discover spine-shivering family fun for October half term.

Castles and forts in Kent

A view of Scotney Castle
Place
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.

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Fully open today
Woodland pathway through Oldbury Hill, Kent
Place
Place

Oldbury Hill 

Discover the remains of an Iron Age hill fort

Ightham, Kent

Fully open today

Coast in Kent

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.

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

The White Cliffs of Dover 

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

Dover, Kent

Partially open today
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
Place

South Foreland Lighthouse 

Striking and historical lighthouse high on The White Cliffs of Dover

Dover, Kent

Closed now

Outdoor activities in Kent

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

Plan ahead for Christmas in Kent

Christmas tree decor at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Christmas in Kent 

Kent's famous houses will be decorated for Christmases gone by, from a sparkling 1930s Champagne Christmas at Chartwell to a sumptuous Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote. Have fun on new family trails with games, activities and festive characters. Keep an eye out for visits from Father Christmas himself on select dates and locations too. There are magical late-night openings, lights events and festive fairs. And it goes without saying that our cafés and tea-rooms will be filled with warming treats and Christmas lunches. Discover what's instore at National Trust places this Christmas in Kent.

Places to stay in Kent

The exterior of 2 Bettenham Cottages, Kent

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.

The exterior of Priest's House, Kent

Priest's House 

Sitting on the edge of Sissinghurst Castle’s gardens, this is the perfect spot for garden lovers.

Oldbury Hill Campsite, Kent

Oldbury Hill Campsite 

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

Sustainable travel

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
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
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.

Find your local Kent supporter group

A tour group in woodland at Scotney Castle, Kent
Article
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.

Upcoming events

Event

Autumn Seed Spotter Trail 

Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Kent

Discover the secrets of nature on our brand new Autumn Seed Spotter Trail.

Event summary

on
15 Oct to 25 Oct 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 10 other dates or times
Event

Fungi Festival: Family Garden Trail 

Emmetts Garden, Sevenoaks, Kent

Explore our garden with your family this autumn!

Event summary

on
15 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 19 other dates or times
Event

Interested in volunteering? 

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

If you've ever wondered what it's like to volunteer at Scotney, here's your chance. Join us for a coffee and a conversation on 15 October, 10.30am-12pm, and learn about all the different volunteering roles at Scotney.

Event summary

on
15 Oct 2024
at
10:30 to 12:00
Event

Guided Garden Tours: Autumn Colour (30 September-29 November) 

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Our knowledgeable guides will show you Scotney's amazing autumn colour. Discover the golden amber highlights of deciduous conifers, the yellows of the tulip trees, and the flaming reds of the Liquidamber and many acers.

Event summary

on
15 Oct to 29 Nov 2024
at
11:00 to 11:45
+ 53 other dates or times
Event

Discovering Scotney: Guided Garden Tours 

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Scotney has one of the best examples of a garden designed along Picturesque principles in the United Kingdom. Join our guided garden tours (free with your entry ticket) to discover what this means.

Event summary

on
15 Oct to 31 Oct 2024
at
11:00 to 11:45
+ 19 other dates or times
Event

Be Aware - installation of artworks by Ana Maria Pacheco 

Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Kent

Experience these striking reliefs by internationally renowned local artist Ana Maria Pacheco, displayed in The Old Chapel, accompanied by a soundscape composed by John Woolrich.

Event summary

on
15 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
at
11:00 to 16:00
+ 19 other dates or times
Event

Snapper Snapped: Photos from the Scotney Collection 

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Enjoy a new display in the Friends Room in the mansion house of rare archive photographs from the Scotney collection.

Event summary

on
15 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
at
11:00 to 16:00
+ 19 other dates or times
Event

'Changed Priorities Ahead' exhibition (1 June-20 October) 

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Teazels, cowslips, toadflax, vetch ... Discover the wildflower paintings of contemporary landscape artist, Nessie Ramm, displayed both inside the old castle and doors and as a trail in the garden.

Event summary

on
15 Oct to 20 Oct 2024
at
11:00 to 16:00
+ 5 other dates or times
A group of four women along a path, in the background, down a hill is a reservoir

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.