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The Rose Garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden
The Rose Garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler
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.

Partially open today

Information

Facilities

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

Top features

The Formal Garden

A symbol of love and horticultural ambition, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in the early 1930s. Designed in a series of 'rooms' with summer highlights including the Rose Garden and the White Garden.

Vegetable Garden

A No Dig garden bursting with fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit, having achieved Organic accreditation in 2023 from the Soil Association.

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.

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. Please note that due to narrow pathways, pushchairs are not allowed in the formal garden but carriers are welcome. Unfenced lakes, moat and ponds around the estate.

Level access to shop
Steps/uneven terrain

Narrow corridors

Level access to food outlet
Seating available

Admission

Opening times for 30 June 2023

AssetOpening time
Garden11:00 - 17:30
EstateDawn - Dusk
Restaurant10:00 - 17:30
Shop10:00 - 17:30
Tower11:00 - 17:00
Long Library11:00 - 17:00
South CottageClosed
Coffee Shop10:00 - 16:30
Exhibition11:00 - 17:30

The garden and collection spaces open at 11am. Last entry to the garden is 4:45pm. The collection spaces close at 5pm, with the garden closing at 5:30pm.

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Prices

Car parking (pay on arrival at Visitor Reception)

Ticket typeGift aidStandard
Per vehicle£4.00

Whole property (pay on arrival)

Ticket typeGift aidStandard
Adult£17.60£16.00
Child£8.80£8.00
Family£44.00£40.00
One adult family£26.40£24.00

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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

Image of two girls completing their Easter trail sheets
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Summer activities for the family at Sissinghurst 

Enjoy a fun-filled family day out at Sissinghurst Castle Garden this summer. With our gardens, lakes and over 400 acres to explore, there's something for everyone.

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

A family day out in the walled garden at Hare Hill, Cheshire

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