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Ightham Mote
Outstanding 14th-century moated manor house, gardens and estate
Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0NT
Important notice
The house, garden, café, shop and estate are open as normal. Booking is not required.
Opening times for 24 April 2025
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 17:00 Café 10:00 - 17:00 Estate Dawn - Dusk Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Last entry to the house and garden is 4.30pm, closing at 5pm. Last orders at the café are 4.45, closing at 5pm.
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Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £19.80 £18.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.90 £9.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £49.50 £45.00 1 adult, 2 children £29.70 £27.00 Group (Adult 18+) £17.10 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Bookshop
Our second-hand book shop is located in Laundry Cottage and our pop-up bookshop is located in the Coach House.
- Café
Our Café is open 10am - 5pm everyday. Please see the opening times for more details.
- Car park
Our new car park is has disabled and family friendly parking available.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs on short leads are welcome in all areas of the property; except the natural play area, enclosed garden and house. Owners can bring their dog into the café to order but are asked to use the outside seating area to eat and drink. Dogs kept under close control are also welcome on the estate countryside walks. Assistance dogs are allowed in all spaces.
- Electric vehicle charging point
Six 11kW electric vehicle charging points are available in the car park. Chargers can be accessed using the mobile app, RFID card, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging partner, RAW Charging's website (www.rawcharging.com/drivers) to download the app before your visit.
- Guided tour
Introductory talks about the House and Garden, plus tours of the Tower, take place daily from March to October (weather dependent and subject to volunteer availability).
- Kiosk
Our kiosk is open seasonally and offers light refreshments and drinks.
- Shop
Our new shop is located within our Visitor Centre and stocks a range of new a seasonal products.
- Toilet
Located by the Mote Café and the Coach House. Baby changing facilities available in both.
The garden is steep in places with steps and gravel, cobbles and grass pathways - please speak to staff on arrival for the best route for your needs. Disabled parking is available near visitor reception but there is some gravel in areas of the car park. Pushchairs are permitted in all areas of the garden, but please take care. Please leave your tents, gazebos and barbecues at home, along with ball games, trikes, bikes and scooters as we are not able to allow these in the garden. Bike racks are located within the walled garden car park. Cameras are welcome but due to narrow paths please do not use tripods or stands. Take care, there are many open water areas around the garden. Please note that the AccessAble guides will be updated in due course to reflect the opening of the new visitor centre, shop and car park.
- Accessible route and/or map
Accessible route in the garden and South Lake. Ground floor of the house is accessible.
- Accessible toilet
- Braille (guide or menu)
- Designated parking
Blue badge parking is available near the visitor centre.
- Drop-off point
Contact the visitor centre on arrival or call in advance on 01732 811732.
- Induction loop
Available in the café and shop.
- Large print (guide or menu)
- Level access to food outlet
- Level access to shop
- Level access/terrain
- Powered mobility vehicle available
Our Tramper mobility scooter is available for visitors to use around the garden and on some of our estate walks. Please call 01732 810378 for more information and to book in advance (line monitored Monday to Friday).
- Ramped access/slopes
- Seating available
- Steps/uneven terrain
Paths in the garden may become slippery after rainfall, please take care and wear sturdy footwear.
- Transfer available
Our volunteer-driven shuttle buggy is available.
- Wheelchairs available
Our manual wheelchairs are available for visitors to use around the ground floor of the house, gardens, shop and café. Please call 01732 810378 for more information and to book in advance (line monitored Monday to Friday).
- By road
6 miles north of Tonbridge on A227 - follow the brown sign to the left along High Cross Road, towards Ivy Hatch and turn left onto Mote Road; 6 miles south of Sevenoaks on A25 - follow the brown sign to the right along Coach Road. 16 miles west of Maidstone on A20/A25 - follow the brown sign to the left along Coach Road.
Parking: Free parking for National Trust members. Non-members; £3 per car. Coin payment only. Please follow instructions from staff and signage on site when you arrive.
Sat Nav: Please use TN15 0NU
- On foot
Ightham Mote is just off The Greensand Way - the long distance walking route across Surrey and Kent.
- By train
Hildenborough (4 miles) and Sevenoaks (7 miles) are both on the London Bridge / London Charing Cross to Hastings mainline. Sevenoaks (7 miles) is also on the Thameslink line from Bedford. Borough Green and Wrotham (3½ miles) are on the London Victoria to Ashford line. Taxi ranks / phones are available at most stations.
- By bus
Book ahead the Go To Service Bus from Sevenoaks Station by calling 01732 463964 or download the 'Go to Sevenoaks' app and book online.
- Cycling
The roads around Ightham Mote are single carriage-way country roads with National Speed limits. The nearest cycle route is the Tonbridge to Ivy Hatch Loop (see www.cycle-route.com for more details). Bike racks are available in the main car park. Please note that traffic calming measures are in place on the driveway and cyclists are advised to dismount.
Planning your visit
Ightham at War: Prisoners With Parallel Fates
The Ightham at War exhibition tells the extraordinary stories of two men at war — one a captured British soldier, the other a downed German pilot — both connected by Ightham Mote. This exhibition, curated to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, brings to life the stories of those who lived, fought, and found refuge at Ightham Mote during World War II through personal photographs, letters and costumes.
Article
Unlocking the future at Ightham Mote
We’ve reached a major milestone in our ambitious project to secure the future of Ightham Mote. From a sustainable new Visitor Centre to upgraded paths and facilities, discover what’s new and what’s still to come.
Article
Visiting Ightham Mote with the family
With walks, trails, a natural play area and acres of nature there is plenty to keep the family occupied on a visit to Ightham Mote. Read on to find out how to get the best out of your visit.
Article
Volunteer opportunities at Ightham Mote
Find out more about volunteering at Ightham Mote and how you can play your part in looking after 700 years’ worth of history and bringing its stories to life.
Article
Visiting Ightham Mote with your dog
Ightham Mote is a one pawprint rated place. With so much space to explore your four-legged friend won’t be bored on a day out at Ightham Mote. Find out where they can go and what facilities are available on your visit.
Article
Group and education visits to Ightham Mote
Find out more about booking your group or school for a visit to Ightham Mote and the information you need to help you plan your trip.
Highlights
House
Romantic moated manor house with 700 years of history, architecture and stories under one roof.
Garden
Nestled in a hidden valley, 14 acres of tranquil garden, pleasure grounds, orchard, water features, lakes and woodland.
Estate
Over 500 acres of landscape carved from woodland, in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Natural play area
Splash in the natural stream, and play with the chimes, balance beams and stepping stones.
Mote Café
Serves tasty hot and cold food and cakes. Indoor or outdoor seating, enjoy the veranda outside with dogs welcome too.
Shop
Seasonal accessories and gifts, food and plants. Locally made products and souvenirs.
Second-hand bookshops
In Laundry Cottage and the Coach House, a wide variety of second-hand books of all genres for all ages.
Things to see and do
VE Day 80 discovery days
What was domestic life really like at Ightham Mote during the Second World War? Our passionate volunteers bring to life the daily struggles and incredible resilience of those left to fight the war from the Home Front. Find out what it meant to have to make do and mend, grow your own food and ration, as well as air raid precautions with examples of equipment that had to be carried around in case of unexpected enemy attack. The London Ambulance Service Historic Collection will also be displaying its 1935 Clements Talbot Ambulance, the only wartime ambulance known to have survived the Blitz, fully stocked with medical supplies and equipment from World War II.
Saving Ightham: celebrating 40 years of Ightham Mote's legacy
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Charles Henry Robinson gifting Ightham Mote to the National Trust. Through a series of displays throughout the house, we follow the extraordinary story of the 50-year rescue mission to save Ightham Mote. We explore Mr Robinson's passion for Ightham Mote, from his first glimpse in a London print shop in 1924, to his dedicated restoration of the house after purchasing it in 1953. Thanks to his generosity, Ightham Mote was preserved for future generations, officially becoming part of the National Trust on 2 January 1985. Discover the story of one man's love for this English treasure and the lasting impact of his gift.
Article
Visiting Ightham Mote with the family
With walks, trails, a natural play area and acres of nature there is plenty to keep the family occupied on a visit to Ightham Mote. Read on to find out how to get the best out of your visit.
Article
The garden at Ightham Mote
The garden is at its most colourful during the summer months. With vibrant colours, the buzz of wildlife and space to relax in the historic pleasure grounds, it’s time to make the most of nature.
Article
The house at Ightham Mote
Enter this medieval half-timbered house across a cobbled courtyard and into the hushed interior. Discover dark wood panelling, huge fireplaces and a mix of furnishings inside.
Article
The estate at Ightham Mote
As the weather becomes warmer, wildlife, trees and wildflowers come alive across the Ightham Mote estate, while and birdsong fills the air.
Top trails
Trail
Ightham Mote circular walk to Knole
This circular walk from Ightham Mote passes along the Greensand Way, through areas of outstanding natural beauty to Knole Park and back to Ightham Mote.
Trail
Ightham Mote circular walk to Oldbury Hill
Enjoy a picturesque circular walk from Ightham to Oldbury Hill, passing through an area of mixed woodland as well as fish ponds and an old quarry.
Trail
Ightham Mote circular walk to Old Soar Manor
This historical circular walk links two National Trust places dating to medieval times, while also taking you through the ancient woodland of Scathes Wood and into Fairlawne Estate.
Trail
Ightham Mote circular walk to Wilmot Hill
Enjoy the Kentish countryside from the Ightham Mote estate as you walk the periphery of a large part of its 580 acres. The walk incorporates Scathes Wood, the Greensand Way, Wilmot Hill and Broadhoath Wood.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Ightham Mote
Pop into the Mote Café for something warming at end of a walk. In the shop you can pick up a special gift, plant or homewares. Don’t forget to look in the second-hand bookshop.
Places to stay
Oldbury Hill Campsite
A peaceful woodland campsite near National Trust attractions, and an hour from London by train.
Upcoming events
Event
Saving Ightham: celebrating 40 years of Ightham Mote's legacy
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Charles Henry Robinson gifting Ightham Mote to the National Trust.
Event
Sargent’s Palette in Bloom
Discover how Ightham Mote inspired internationally renowned artist John Singer Sargent.
Event
Exhibition: Ightham at War
The Ightham at War: Prisoners With Parallel Fates exhibition tells the extraordinary stories of two men at war —one a captured British soldier, the other a downed German pilot— both connected by Ightham Mote.
Event
VE Day 80 discovery days
Discover what life was like on the Home Front during World War II with our family friendly weekend of interactive sessions and displays.
Event
Invicta Morris: Morris Dancing at Ightham Mote
Get ready for bells, sticks, and plenty of energy as Invicta Morris bring their vibrant Cotswold Morris dancing to the beautiful setting of Ightham Mote.
Event
VE Day 80: Wartime Weekend
A celebratory weekend that takes us back 80 years to wartime Kent with Up and At ‘Em!’s fun interactive history sessions and a rousing Big Band picnic finale.
Event
Volunteer Coffee Morning
Pop in and join our coffee morning to find out how you can support us as part of the team at Ightham Mote.
Event
Dear Future: I Leave This Place For You - Ightham Mote
Find out how a gift in your will can help us protect and preserve the special places in our care.
About Ightham Mote
Hidden away in a secluded Kent valley, is this perfectly preserved medieval moated manor house. Emerging from the natural landscape almost 700 years ago, Ightham Mote is built from Kentish ragstone and great Wealden oaks. While its architecture and decoration trace the development of the English country house, its owners provide the stories of a once-cherished family home, evoking a deep sense of history. In the tranquil gardens there are streams and lakes fed by natural springs, an orchard, flower borders and a cutting garden. The wider estate offers walks with secret glades and countryside views.
History
Article
The history and owners of Ightham Mote
Uncover the 700-year history of this fascinating medieval house and estate. Discover all about the owners that shaped it over the centuries, their connections and lifestyles.
Art and collections
Ightham Mote's objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Ightham Mote on the National Trust Collections website.
Article
John Singer Sargent oil sketch of Elsie Palmer returns to Ightham Mote
The enigmatic face of Elsie Palmer, one of renowned artist John Singer Sargent’s most famous subjects, has returned to the English country house where he painted her.
Our work
Article
Our work at Ightham Mote
From the annual winter clean to one of the National Trust’s largest conservation projects, find out more about how Ightham Mode is cared for and what goes on behind the scenes.
Article
Unlocking the future at Ightham Mote
We’ve reached a major milestone in our ambitious project to secure the future of Ightham Mote. From a sustainable new Visitor Centre to upgraded paths and facilities, discover what’s new and what’s still to come.
Support us
Article
Volunteer opportunities at Ightham Mote
Find out more about volunteering at Ightham Mote and how you can play your part in looking after 700 years’ worth of history and bringing its stories to life.