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Emmetts Garden
Edwardian hillside garden with year-round features
Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 6BA
Important notice
Our credit card machines are only working intermittently. If possible, please bring cash to pay for entry, trails and use in the shop / tearoom. Our buggy is also out of service. We appreciate your understanding while we work to resolve these issues.
Opening times for 21 April 2025
Asset Opening time Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Car Park 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Cafe 10:00 - 16:45 MTWTFSS311234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829301234OpenPartially openClosedMarch – October
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £15.40 £14.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £7.70 £7.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £38.50 £35.00 One adult and up to three children £23.10 £21.00 November – February
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £11.00 £10.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £5.50 £5.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £27.50 £25.00 One adult and up to three children £16.50 £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Bookshop
Second hand bookshop in Visitor Centre.
- Car park
Free.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs on short leads welcome in garden.
- Plant shop
Peat-free plants, plus pots and garden ornaments.
- Shop
Seasonal National Trust ranges for home and garden.
- Tea-room
Old Stables Tearoom serving hot and cold drinks, cakes and light lunch options.
- Toilet
By Visitor Centre and next to Tea Room.
Steep paths and steps in places. Woodland path is uneven and non-tarmacked. Accessible toilets. Buggy available (dependent on staff levels).
- Accessible route and/or map
Garden partly accessible, steep slopes and steps in places. Map of accessible route available from Visitor Centre.
- Accessible toilet
By Visitor Centre and next to Tea Room.
- Braille (guide or menu)
Braille guide to whole property available in Visitor Centre.
- Designated parking
Seven accessible parking spaces, the furthest of which is 24m from Visitor Centre.
- Induction loop
Fixed induction loops available in Visitor Centre and tea room.
- Level access to food outlet
- Level access to shop
- Powered mobility vehicle available
Tramper available to pre-book, please call 01732868381.
- Seating available
Seating available throughout garden.
- Steps/uneven terrain
Garden partly accessible, steep slopes and steps in places.
- Transfer available
Buggy available to take visitors from Visitor Centre up steepest part of slope (not suitable for electric wheelchairs). This is a volunteer-run service and we advise phoning on the day to check availability.
- Wheelchairs available
Limited number of outdoor wheelchairs available from Visitor Centre.
- By road
1½ miles south of A25 on Sundridge to Ide Hill road, 1½ miles north of Ide Hill off B2042, leave M25 exit 5, then 4 miles. Exit at junction 5 on the M25. Use the left lane to continue on Sevenoaks Bypass/A21. Merge onto Westerham Road/A25 via the slip road. Continue along A25 into Sundridge. Turn left onto Church Road. Continue onto Sundridge Road and turn right into Emmetts Garden.
Parking: Parking is included in admission.
- On foot
From Ide Hill village (½ mile). Weardale walk from Chartwell (3 miles) -- guide leaflet available
- By train
Sevenoaks station is 4½ miles away; Penshurst station is 5½ miles away. Sevenoaks stations has a taxi rank outside to get to Emmetts Garden.
- Cycling
Cycle racks available in our car park
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Emmetts Garden with your dog
Emmetts Garden is a three pawprint rated place. Share a stroll around Emmetts Garden with your dog. Allowed in all areas of the gardens, there’s no better place for them to spend a day.
Article
Family days out at Emmetts Garden
Enjoy family-friendly fun and outdoor play in the fresh air at Emmetts Garden, all set against a backdrop of glorious Edwardian garden, on one of the highest points of the Kentish Weald. Purchase a trail sheet for seasonal activities with a prize at the end.
Article
Group visits to Emmetts Garden
Organising a group trip to Emmetts Garden? Here’s what you need to know.
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Highlights
Rock Garden
Varied alpine plant collection, arranged amongst special garden features imitating mountainsides, streams and rocky outcrops.
Rose Garden
Formal early 20th-century Rose Garden, featuring traditional pink and white roses, framing wide vistas out over the Kent countryside.
North Garden
Display of horticulturally-distinct plant specimens, planted in their ideal natural conditions such as bog, shade or rock.
South Garden
Extensive collection of trees and shrubs, each different to the next; many were brought to England from international expeditions.
Woodland
Varied woodland including a pinetum featuring unique specimen pine trees. Fills with thousands of bluebells in spring.
Old Stables Tearoom
Hot and cold drinks, cakes, bakes and light lunch options in the old stables, with seating within the stalls.
Shop
Seasonal National Trust ranges for home and garden, peat-free plants, local products and souvenirs.
Wild Play Area
Natural children’s wild play area, with swings, a climbing frame, balance beams, den building areas and more.
Spotlight events
Easter Egg Hunt at Emmetts Garden
Roll up, roll up! This Easter, treat the whole family to a day of Edwardian circus-themed activities. In the Edwardian era, the circus was a popular family pastime full of daring acts, clever animals and lots of laughter. Step into that world with circus-themed activities in the meadow. Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg which is suitable for people with allergies to milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nuts. (Whilst stocks last.) 5–21 April 2025, 10am–5pm, with last entry at 4pm.
Punch and Judy on the Meadow
Mr Punch is Britain's National Puppet, delighting family audiences for over 350 years. Enjoy this much-loved classic at outdoor shows during the Easter school holidays. Performances are free to attend with admission to Emmetts Garden. Show dates are Tuesday 8 April, Thursday 10 April, Tuesday 15 April, and Thursday 17 April. Showtimes are 11am, 2pm and 3pm.
Signs of Spring Family Trail
Spring has arrived and there is so much beauty and nature to look out for. Purchase a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre to see if you can find all the signs of spring on the spotter sheet. Explore the garden to spot signs of spring and mark them with your stickers. Normal admission applies. £2 for trail sheet. (Whilst stocks last.) Thursday 1 May–Sunday 1 June, 10am–4pm.
Things to see and do
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The garden at Emmetts Garden
Find a garden area to suit your taste here at Emmetts Garden. With different and diverse designs, and views that are always impressive, there's something to see at any time of year.
Article
Family days out at Emmetts Garden
Enjoy family-friendly fun and outdoor play in the fresh air at Emmetts Garden, all set against a backdrop of glorious Edwardian garden, on one of the highest points of the Kentish Weald. Purchase a trail sheet for seasonal activities with a prize at the end.
Top trails
Trail
Toys Hill and Emmetts Garden circular walk
A 2.5-mile walk from Emmetts through the picturesque village of Ide Hill in the Kent countryside.
Trail
Weardale walk from Emmetts Garden
This beautiful circular walk links Chartwell and Emmetts Garden; passing through the woodland areas of Toys Hill and Hosey Common, as well as the pretty hamlet of French Street.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Emmetts Garden
Stop for refreshments at the Old Stables Tea Room, with indoor and outdoor seating. In the shop you'll find seasonal ranges for the home and garden, local products and peat-free plants.
Places to stay
Priest's House
Sitting on the edge of Sissinghurst Castle’s gardens, this is the perfect spot for garden lovers.
The Morris Apartment
A one-bedroom apartment in trademark Arts and Crafts style, on the second floor of Standen House.
Scotney West Lodge
A pretty gatehouse on the Scotney Castle estate, with a tucked-away garden.
Upcoming events
Event
Easter Egg Hunt at Emmetts Garden 2025
This Easter, treat the whole family to a day of Edwardian circus-themed activities.
Event
Signs of Spring Family Trail
Spring has arrived at Emmetts Garden. Pick up a spotter trail sheet at the Visitor Centre and explore the gardens.
Event
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted Emmetts Garden History Tour
Discover the history of Emmetts Garden. A National Trust guide will be leading the group with a British Sign Language (BSL)/English Interpreter.
Event
Outdoor Theatre: Pride & Prejudice by This Is My Theatre
Step into the world of Pride and Prejudice this summer as This Is My Theatre brings Jane Austen’s beloved tale to life.
Event
Outdoor Theatre: The Tempest by Immersion Theatre
Join us for The Tempest - Shakespeare’s most magical play bursting with mayhem, comedy, romance, and surprises!
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Outdoor Theatre: Twelfth Night by The Lord Chamberlain's Men
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer for Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedy, Twelfth Night.
Event
Outdoor Theatre: The Wind in the Willows by Immersion Theatre
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the wild Toad to save Toad Hall from the weasels!
About Emmetts Garden
Charming Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian estate that was owned by Frederic Lubbock, becoming both a plantsman's passion and a much-loved family home.
The garden was laid out in the late 19th century, and was influenced by William Robinson. It contains many rare trees and shrubs from across the world.
Standing on one of the highest spots in Kent, Emmetts Garden offers panoramic views over the unspoilt Weald as well as some great walking opportunities.
When you visit, you can explore the rose and rock gardens, take in the views and enjoy shows of spring flowers and shrubs, followed by vibrant autumn colours.
History
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History of Emmetts Garden
Discover the history behind Emmetts Garden where Frederic Lubbock displayed his rare and international plant collection.
Our work
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Our work at Emmetts Garden
Take a look behind the scenes at Emmetts Garden in Kent and discover the work that goes into keeping this special place looking its best.
Support us
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Volunteer at Emmetts Garden
Help us look after this special place by volunteering your time and skills. Make new friends, learn about the estate and share your passion for gardens with people from all walks of life.