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November mist in the orchard with the Elizabethan Tower in the background
November mist in the orchard with the Elizabethan Tower in the background | © National Trust Images/Cassie Dickson
Kent

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Historic, poetic, iconic: a refuge dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a world-renowned garden.

Fully open today

Information

Facilities
  • Food/drink, available
  • Toilets, available
  • Car park, available
  • Shop, available
  • Level access/terrain, not available
near Cranbrook, Kent

Top features

Garden

A symbol of love and horticultural ambition, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in the early 1930s.

Tower

Home to Vita's Writing Room. Vast panoramic views of the formal garden, working farm and 450-acre wider estate from the very top.

Library

Nicknamed 'The Big Room', this atmospheric space was originally used for entertaining by Vita and Harold and is now home to exhibitions throughout the year.

Gazebo

Perched on the corner of our moat, the Gazebo was built in 1969 by Nigel and Benedict Nicolson as a memorial to their father, Harold Nicolson.

Plant Shop

Take home a living piece of Sissinghurst with plants and seasonal vegetables that are grown right here on site.

Shop

Seasonal gifts ranging from stylish homeware, locally produced products, books and more.

The Second-hand Bookshop

A wide range of donated books ready to start their new chapter in life.

The Old Dairy Cafe

Serves hot and cold drinks, tasty light bites and cakes. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Facilities

Book shop

Shop

Plant shop

Access

Designated disabled parking in the main car park. Adapted toilet on level ground at visitor reception and via ramp at restaurant. Unfenced lakes, moat and ponds around the estate. Please note that due to narrow pathways, pushchairs are not allowed in the formal garden. Dogs are also not allowed in the formal garden or vegetable garden but are allowed around the wider estate on leads.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden access statement 

Level access to shop
Steps/uneven terrain

Narrow corridors

Level access to food outlet
Seating available

Admission

Opening times for 5 February 2023

AssetOpening time
Garden11:00 - 16:00
EstateDawn - Dusk
Restaurant10:00 - 16:00
Shop10:00 - 16:00
Tower11:00 - 15:30
Long Library11:00 - 15:30
South Cottage11:00 - 15:30
Coffee Shop10:00 - 15:00
Exhibition10:00 - 16:00

The garden and collection spaces open at 11am. Last entry to the garden is 3:15pm. The collection spaces close at 3:30pm, with the garden closing at 4pm.

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Prices

Car parking

Ticket typeGift aidStandard
Per vehicle£4.00

Whole property 1 January - 25 March

Ticket typeGift aidStandard
Adult£12.20£11.00
Child£6.10£5.50
Family£30.30£27.50
One adult family£18.20£16.50

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Getting there

On foot

From Sissinghurst village, go past the church to the footpath on the left, signposted to Sissinghurst Castle. The path can get muddy and is slim on the approach to the main drive. Once on the main drive, there's no designated path for pedestrians. Half way down the drive towards the house and garden, there is a clapper stile on the right where you can go along the hedge line in the field if you prefer.

Get in touch

Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB

Planning your visit

Visitors with a dog enjoying an autumnal walk on the estate at Wallington, Northumberland
Article
Article

Visiting Sissinghurst Castle Garden with your dog 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is a one pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome so you can feel at ease when strolling through the estate. Here's some useful information to help you enjoy your walk.

Visitors photographing the gardens in July at Sissinghurst Castle, Kent, one bending down for a close-up shot of a white delphinium, two standing behind
Article
Article

Group visits at Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

Visiting as a group to Sissinghurst Castle Garden couldn’t be easier; here’s how to arrange a group visit.

PDF
PDF

Sissinghurst map 

Take a look at the map of Sissinghurst to help plan your visit.

Children running past the ruins at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire

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