Discover more at Emmetts Garden
Find out when Emmetts Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
The garden at Emmetts Garden
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.
Autumn at Emmetts Garden
Come and watch the changing of the seasons as the leaves all slowly begin to show their autumn colours. Here are some seasonal highlights for you to look out for on your visit:
Burnt toffee tree
Every autumn the leaves start to give off a tempting aroma that smells just like burnt sugar or candyfloss. This is a tree that needs to be seen (or sniffed) to be believed.
Winged spindle
During the autumn months its leaves turn a fiery red.
Japanese maples
Acer trees are well known for their stunning foliage and the Japanese maples are no exception. The amber colours look fantastic in the autumn sunshine.
Autumn crocuses
Appearing in the North Garden borders, these blooms bring a lovely lilac shade to the luscious green flower beds.
A second wind for the roses
Following deadheading over the summer, the roses bloom again with a fantastic array of pinks and whites still seen through September and even into October. Look out for the English Miss roses around the fountain and the rosa Bonica blooms shaped into taller ‘lollipop’ trees in the corners.
Fabulous fungi at Emmetts Garden
Know your dusky puffball from your mealy bonnet? Ever heard of an elfin saddle? Autumn at Emmetts Garden and the surrounding Toys Hill countryside is a great time to immerse yourself in the mushroom kingdom, with an abundance of fungi popping up all over. Please look but don't touch - picking fungi is prohibited as it damages mushroom populations and harms the organisms they support.
Seasonal highlights
Get a taster of autumn at Emmetts Garden
'Burgundy Flush'
Native to Eastern Asia, the Liquidambar acalycina ‘Burgundy Flush’ turns red in spring and green in summer. In autumn the leaves turn back to a gorgeous translucent burgundy or red as they get ready to fall.
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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.
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.
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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 autumn festival events including the family activity trail, graffiti workshop (pre-booking required) and more.
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.
History of Emmetts Garden
Discover the history behind Emmetts Garden where Frederic Lubbock displayed his rare and international plant collection.
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.
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.
Gardens and parks
From 18th-century water gardens and Arts and Crafts landscapes to intimate woodland gardens, there are so many places to discover.
Gardening tips
Discover our gardeners’ top tips so you can make the most of your garden, plot or window box.
Gardens in Kent
Wander through the National Trust’s summer gardens in Kent, where vibrant borders and fragrant blooms await. Marvel at over 300 varieties of old roses at Sissinghurst Castle, stroll through pastel-hued rose avenues at Chartwell, and bask in the sweet scent of pink Octavia Hill roses at Emmetts Garden. From fiery rudbeckia and amber lilies to cascading white gladioli and Japanese anemones, Kent’s historic gardens are bursting with seasonal colour and timeless charm.
