The garden at Emmetts Garden

Pink roses in the Italianate Rose Garden with the fountain and a glimpse of the view in the distance — Take time to smell the roses at Emmetts Garden | © National Trust Images/Rachael Warren

With different areas of the garden, and far-reaching views, there’s always something new to see here. This Edwardian garden has plenty of secrets to reveal including a Rose Garden, Rock Garden and water features.

Summer at Emmets Garden

Emmetts Garden provides the perfect setting to immerse yourself in a world of botanical delights. The design of the gardens was inspired by the works of gardener and writer William Robinson who championed natural, ‘wild gardening’.

Shrubs and flowers fill the North Garden with an abundance of texture and colours. Head to the South Garden to see our collection of historic trees and shrubs.This mostly informal garden provides the perfect transition into the nearby woodland.

Take a walk down to the pond next to the ram pump house and you might find dragonflies and damselflies flitting around, shimmering in the sunlight.

There’s so much to see during the summer, but here are a few favourites to help you plan your visit:

The Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin)

Originally from Asia, these pretty, wispy flowers are loved by bees for their great source of nectar.

Wedding cake tree (Cornus controversa)

Native to Japan and Korea, this tree blooms in tiers of creamy white flowers.

Hydrangeas

These popular garden shrubs thrive in the summer and while many species are white, here at Emmetts they mostly flower in vivid blue and pink shades that bring an explosion of colour to the borders along the paths.

Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

Later in the summer, catch the burnt-toffee scent of the ‘Katsura Tree’.

Seasonal highlights

Take a peek at some of the best of this season's offerings

A close up image of the Persian silk tree at Emmetts Garden in Kent with serrated leaves and distinctive feathery pink and white blooms — The feathery blooms of the Persian silk tree at Emmetts Garden in Kent | © National Trust Images/Rachael Warren

Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin)

Bees love the nectar of these flamboyant flowers.

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Discover the different parts of Emmetts Garden

The Rose Garden

The Italianate rose garden, with its abundance of pink and white blooms, is the only truly formal part of Emmetts Garden.

Look out for the pink Octavia Hill roses as you step down into the garden; named after a founding member of the National Trust. These were planted in 2012 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of her passing.

Around the fountain you’ll discover a border bursting with Rosa ‘English Miss’. This border was recently replanted with the same varieties chosen for this space by the garden’s founders, Frederic and Catherine Lubbock.

The dainty Rosa ‘Bonica’ and the fragrant Rosa ‘Katherine Zeimet’ are some of the other varieties of roses on show.

Foxgloves, lupines, geraniums and poppies blooming in June at Emmetts Garden — Foxgloves, lupines, geraniums and poppies at Emmetts Garden in June. | © Jen Reznick

The Rock Garden

This area is home to a wonderful variety of alpine plants originally laid out as a specimen garden, alongside a lily pond and small cascade fed from the Ram Pump located in the wooded valley below the garden. Winding paths allow you to explore this unique part of the garden.

The North Garden

Discover splashes of colour along the winding paths as you explore this garden. You won’t be able to miss the Wedding Cake tree (Cornus controversa), whose unusual branches grow in horizontal tiers and resemble the structure of a wedding cake.

The South Garden

This part of the garden is home to an impressive collection of hardy exotic trees and shrubs, including four ‘Handkerchief’ or ‘Dove’ trees (Davidia involucrata). These are named for their creamy-white petal-like bracts, which have the appearance of fluttering dove wings or handkerchiefs hanging from the branches. One of these trees is an original specimen introduced to the United Kingdom and is over 120 years old

The Discovery Cabin

Make your way through Emmetts Garden to the Discovery Cabin to pick up a potted history of this special place. Inside you’ll find quotes, memories and digital replicas of black and white photography from the garden’s early days. This is a great place to learn more about the history of this unique garden and its historic plant collection.

Views for miles

Sitting on one of the highest points in the Weald of Kent means Emmetts Garden is afforded some of the most awe-inspiring and far-reaching views.

Take a seat on one of the many strategically placed benches and watch the world go by. There's always something to see, no matter which season it is.

A view down a paved pathway with a rose covered pergola overhead, covered in pale pink roses, and two white benches facing the sun

Discover more at Emmetts Garden

Find out when Emmetts Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

A family exploring the grounds of Hatchlands Park, Surrey. Three children are carrying sticks, and the parents are carrying balls.

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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.