Kent

Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Estate walk

Views of Sissinghurst Castle from the Estate walks | © National Trust Images/Penny Tweedie

After exploring Sissinghurst's garden, try this circular walk to see highlights of the wider estate, including the 16th-century tower and the Castle Farm. Nestled in the heart of the Kent Weald, this landscape inspired the creation of a world-class garden and the prolific writing of Vita Sackville-West.

Near to

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Start point

Sissinghurst Castle Garden National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ807384

Address
Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Regular service to Staplehurst from London Charing Cross. From here, take bus service 5.
National Rail
By bus
Service 5 runs from Staplehurst station to Sissinghurst village.
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. Halfway 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.
Cycling
National Cycle Network 18, 8 miles. You can cycle to Sissinghurst from Staplehurst station along quiet country lanes after a short section on the A229 from the station.
By road
2 miles (3.2km) north east of Cranbrook, 1 mile (1.6km) east of Sissinghurst village on A262.
Dogs
Dogs welcome on the wider estate, including all of this trail – please keep them on a lead to protect wildlife and livestock. Dogs are not allowed in the formal garden or vegetable garden. Drinking bowls outside the Granary Restaurant, coffee shop and toilets.
Car park
Car parking is free for National Trust members. If you are not a member, car parking can be paid for at the visitor reception.
Toilet
Toilets and disabled toilets are available next to the visitor reception and the restaurant.
Café
Coffee shop located near the car park, next to the plant shop. Please check Sissinghurst Castle Garden's main page for coffee shop opening times.
Shop
Restaurant
Dogs are not allowed inside the restaurant but are allowed in the outdoor seating area.
Designated parking
Several disabled parking bays in the car park. Upon arrival at the car park, stewards will direct you where to go.
Accessible toilet
Available next to visitor reception and at the restaurant.
Steps/uneven terrain
Walk is mostly level but has stiles and some slopes, and can be muddy during wet weather.
Accessible route and/or map
Shorter route available from step 3 (see dotted line on map).
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Sissinghurst Castle Garden National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ807384
Stage 1
From the car park, follow the path towards the castle. Walk to left of the castle and continue along the medieval moat, following it round to the right at the Gazebo. Continue along this path, through a gate and down the hill towards the lake. At the bottom of the field, go through the gate and turn left around the lower lake.
Stage 2
After crossing the second bridge, turn right and continue along the ride through the traditional coppice woodland.
Stage 3
After 380yd (350m) you will reach a waymarker. Here, you have two options. For the shorter route (marked on map with dotted line), turn right and continue up the hill across Park Field towards the car park. For the longer route, bear left then right and continue 460yd (420m) along the ride until you reach the edge of the woodland, where you will find another waymarker. Turn right down a narrow path and continue over the stile into Park Field.
Stage 4
Bear slightly to the left across the parkland, taking in the views of the castle and estate. At the next stile, cross the drive and enter Bull and Birches Woods. Follow the path for 66yd (60m) then turn right along the public footpath up the field. At the top turn right, pass through the second double gate then bear diagonally left across the orchard.
Stage 5
Cross the track and join the bridleway, passing the vegetable plots on your right, and continue along this track until you reach a waymarker. Turn right into the field and follow the margin until you come to a metal gate.
The vegetable plots at Sissinghurst | © National Trust Images/Sam Milling
Stage 6
At the gate, bear right onto the lane and follow it to the next gate on your right. Go through this gate onto the path, taking in the views before continuing over the stream back to the castle.
End point
Sissinghurst Castle Garden National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ807384
Trail map
Map of the Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Estate walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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The Rose Garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Place

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.

Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB

01580710700

sissinghurst@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 6

Total stages: 6

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

End point

Trail map

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