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Emmetts Garden
Edwardian hillside garden with year-round features
Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 6BA
Important notice
On Monday and Tuesday 16-17 June, a limited takeaway menu will be served from outside the Tearoom. The Tearoom itself will be closed for maintenance which means only outdoor seating will be available.
Opening times for 14 June 2025
Asset Opening time Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Car Park 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Cafe 10:00 - 16:30 MTWTFSS262728293031123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930123456OpenPartially 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
- Adventure playground/play area
Wild play area near Old Stables Tea Room with climbing frame, play net, balance beams, tunnels and more. Toy cupboard with equipment to borrow and play with in the meadow.
- Bookshop
Second hand bookshop in Visitor Centre.
- Car park
Free.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs on short leads welcome in garden.
- Family friendly
- Picnic area
Picnic tables in the meadow.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- By bus
Saturdays: Surrey County Council operates a shuttle service between Oxted Station and 3 National Trust sites: Chartwell, Quebec House and Emmetts Garden. All journeys must be booked in advance. They can be booked at least 30 minutes before travelling and up to seven days in advance. See the East north National Trust shuttle service timetable or download the Surrey Connect App. Alternatively, bookings can be made over the phone on 0300 123 7751 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm).
Planning your visit
Upcoming Events at Emmetts Garden
Find out what’s on at Emmetts Garden and what to look out for next. From seasonal family trails to outdoor entertainment. Browse key dates for the diary and links to pre-book where tickets are required.
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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.
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Family days out at Emmetts Garden
Enjoy family-friendly fun and outdoor play at Emmetts Garden, all set against a backdrop of a glorious Edwardian garden, on one of the highest points of the Kentish Weald. Invent a game to play in the meadow with inspiration from our toy cupboard, explore the wild play area near the Tea Room or come along for the Summer of Play for musical activities in the gardens.
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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
Signs of Spring Family Trail
Spring has arrived and there is so much beauty and nature to look out for. Purchase a trail sheet with stickers and crayons from the Visitor Centre. Explore the garden to spot signs of spring. Normal admission applies. £2 for trail sheet, stickers, crayons. Continues whilst stocks last, 10am–4pm.
Tickets on sale for Summertime Outdoor Theatre
Emmetts Garden plays host to Outdoor Theatre productions for audiences young and old throughout the summer. Bring picnics, blankets and chairs and perhaps a poncho in case of wet weather, but please leave dogs at home. Please see our events page for the full listings and ticketing links. Pride and Prejudice by This is My Theatre is on 27 July; The Tempest by Immersion Theatre is on 31 July; Twelfth Night by The Lord Chamberlain's Men is on 8 August; The Wind in the Willows by Immersion Theatre is on 21 August; Much Ado about Nothing by the HandleBards is on 13 September.
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted Emmetts Garden History Tour
Wednesday 16 July, 1–2pm. Discover the history of Emmetts Garden. A National Trust guide will be leading the group to see selected areas of the beautiful Edwardian garden with a British Sign Language (BSL)/English Interpreter. BSL interpreted tours are also being held at nearby Chartwell and Quebec House on this date, and subject to ticket availability, it is possible to attend all three tours. This event is free but normal admission applies. Limited numbers. Pre-booking is required via each property website to join the tours.
Summer of Play at Emmetts Garden
Invent a game for the play meadow with inspiration from our toy cupboard, which is stocked with sports cones, hula hoops, lawn games and more. Try out musical activities, specially installed for this year’s Summer of Play. Or explore the Wild Play Area to find balance beams, climbing frame, play net, tunnels and a fairy ring of large wooden toadstools. Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank. Normal admission applies. Saturday 19 July–Sunday 7 September, 11am–4pm.
Outdoor Cinema: Sing-Along ‘Wicked’
Sing along to blockbuster musical, ‘Wicked’. Presented by Cinestock, your ticket allows you to explore the gardens before the film, as well as enjoy refreshments from the food and drink stands and listen to a live music artist as the sun sets before you settle in to watch the film under the stars. Pre-booking essential. Saturday 6 September. Doors 6.30pm, film 8–10.20pm.
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.
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Family days out at Emmetts Garden
Enjoy family-friendly fun and outdoor play at Emmetts Garden, all set against a backdrop of a glorious Edwardian garden, on one of the highest points of the Kentish Weald. Invent a game to play in the meadow with inspiration from our toy cupboard, explore the wild play area near the Tea Room or come along for the Summer of Play for musical activities in the gardens.
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
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
Summer of Play at Emmetts Garden
Enjoy fun, active, and musical play at Emmetts Garden this summer.
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!
Event
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!
Event
Outdoor Cinema: Sing-Along Wicked
Join us for a magical night of outdoor cinema with a Sing-Along screening of the blockbuster musical film Wicked.
Event
Outdoor Theatre: Much Ado about Nothing by The HandleBards
Experience a bicycle-powered performance of Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' at Emmetts Garden!
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.