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The South Cottage 1935

The South Cottage reopens for a new and immersive 'living museum' experience in January and February 2025.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

The South Cottage reopens for a new sensory experience that will immerse you in the sights, sounds, and smells of a day in the life of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in 1935.

Discover significant stories from 1935 when Harold was writing his ground-breaking biography of American diplomat Dwight Morrow and was starting his long friendship with pioneering aviator Charles Lindbergh, the Big Room (Library) was being designed, and Vita was researching Joan of Arc for her biography that would be published that October.

Explore the rooms and encounter different scents and nostalgic objects such as tobacco tins, playing cards, and more, while soundscapes of what life would have sounded like to Vita and Harold play overhead.

There will also be a special opportunity for visitors to handle various objects in the South Cottage including books, which was not possible before.

The South Cottage will operate on a free flow basis with a maximum of 12 visitors in there at any given time, adding to the intimate nature of the experience.

Additional hourly timed tours will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the Cottage will open slightly later at 11:30am.

Please note that daily opening will be dependent on volunteer availability. While we aim to open on a daily basis during this period, this may not always be possible.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Meeting point

The South Cottage is located within the garden. Please scan your membership card or pay for entry at Visitor Reception. A member of our team will point you in the right direction.

What to bring and wear

The South Cottage is accessible through the main garden, please dress accordingly for the weather on the day of your visit.

Accessibility

Please note that there is no step-free access in the cottage due to its historic nature.

Other

Only 12 visitors are allowed in at any given time due to the historic nature of the cottage.

Contact info

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Upcoming events

Event

The Yuletide Trail 

Discover how Christmas was celebrated at Sissinghurst over 400 years ago with our festive family trail. 

Event summary

on
4 Dec 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 30 other dates or times
Event

Christmas at Sissinghurst Castle Garden (23 Nov - 5 Jan) 

Join us for an Elizabethan Christmas at Sissinghurst Castle Garden this festive season. Runs between 23 November and 5 January, excl. 24 & 25 December.

Event summary

on
4 Dec 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 32 other dates or times
Event

'Radical Relationships' display (1 June 2024 - 30 March 2025) 

Explore how Vita, Harold and their inner creative circle did not fit with early 20th century societal norms of gender and sexuality. A display told through the books in Vita and Harold's collection.

Event summary

on
4 Dec 2024 to 30 Mar 2025
at
11:00 to 15:30
+ 114 other dates or times
Event

Aesme Studio: Winter at Sissinghurst 

Take in this brand new floral installation in the garden during the winter months, in collaboration with Aesme Studio.

Event summary

on
4 Dec 2024 to 28 Feb 2025
at
11:00 to 16:00
+ 84 other dates or times