Gardens in Kent & Attractions

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens Kent Weald

Midway between Cranbrook and Tenterden sits probably Kent's most famous gardens - Sissinghurst Castle Gardens. Their fame is due in large part to the fame of their garden designer Vita Sackville West (1892-1962). Sackville West's well known Kent family home is Knole near Sevenoaks. As well as garden design, a passion she shared with her husband Harold Nicolson who collaborated with her on Sissinghurst's creation, she was also an acclaimed novelist and poet winning awards for poems such as 'The Land' (1927).

Linked with the Bloomsbury Group, Sackville West had a number of Lesbian affairs outside of her close marriage with politician and civil servant Harold Nicolson. The most famous of these affairs was with Virginia Woolf through most of the 1920s. Woolf dedicated her work 'Orlando' to Sackville West, who's life and family history was a considerable influence on Woolf's depictions of her Orlando through various generations. Sissinghurst is a garden to linger long in. Climb to the top of the Elizabethan Tower for spectacular panoramic views of the entire site and note Vita's writing room on the first floor. Also on-site is the Oast House Exhibition and the Elizabethan Barn plus National Trust Shop, licensed Granary Restaurant, Coffee Shop, Ice Creams, Plant Shop and a Picnic Area with tables.

Sissinghurst Gardens blends the romantic (Vita's specialism) and the more ordered classical (Harold's preference). Sackville West bought the site after a visit to Sissinghurst with her son in 1930. The many small enclosed compartments and the romantic edge to Sissinghurst are down to her. Sissinghurst is a delightful garden mix with rose gardens, cottage gardens, orchard and white garden and all around iconic feature buildings such as well photographed Elizabethan Tower. Before it was purchased by Sackville West Sissinghurst was a home to many of the poor who worked much of the land here. Prior to that the Elizabethan house had served as a prison for prisoners of war during the Napoleonic Wars. Woodland trails and lake walks are on-site.

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Scotney Castle Gardens Kent Weald

West of Cranbrook sits another of the Weald's Seven Wonders (see Weald Seven Wonders webguide right), Scotney Castle Gardens. This Victorian country house garden come ruined 14th century castle site boasts particularly romantic Kent gardens. The site is extensive and includes the Old Castle surrounded by water moat, a Boat House, a beautifully set Henry Moore Sculpture, the Walled and Quarry Gardens and the main house and stable block.

A feature highlight here at Scotney is the thatched ice house! One of Scotney's distinctive round towers (much like those at nearby Bodiam Castle in Sussex) dates from the 1300s. Note too the dinosaur footprint in the Quarry Garden! Read a full history of Scotney Garden in the hands of the Hussey family from the 18th century onwards via the National Trust Scotney webguide right. Guided tours by arrangement, NT shop and excellent family facilities are on-site including a children's trail, baby-changing facilities and extensive lawn picnic areas.

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Godinton House & Gardens near Ashford

Godinton House & Gardens is conveniently just off junction 9 of the M20. You're in the heart of 'the Garden of England' here in Kent's Ashford and Tenterden area, and Godinton's 12 acres of glorious Kent Gardens are a joy to tour. The Rose Garden is a particular highlight, with other themed gardens including the Italian Garden.

You're in the heart of 'the Garden of England' here in Kent's Ashford and Tenterden area, and Godinton's 12 acres of glorious Kent Gardens are a joy to tour. The Rose Garden is a particular highlight, with other themed gardens including the Italian Garden.

You're free to roam the gardens and get up close to the yew hedges, herbaceous borders and more. The Stour River runs through part of the estate and a longer circular walk moves alongside it, affording spectacular views back to the Jacobean House and garden surrounds. Nearby, midway between Faversham and Ashford, sits 18th century architectural marvel Belmont House and Gardens, designed by Samuel Wyatt.

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Beech Court Gardens Challock Kent Downs

North of Ashford sits one of Kent's most fascintating, and potentially ancient, gardens - Beech Court Gardens at Challock. The gardens are 500 feet above sea level, spread over a pocket of acidic clay. Roman artefacts have been found on the site, pointing to ancient settlement.

This is a garden that takes on a different life with each season. The Rhododendrons and Azaleas in bloom in Spring is a highlight (as it is across many of the Kent and Sussex gardens!). The Oast House on-site is now the delightful tearooms.

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Yalding Organic Gardens near Maidstone

There are 14 different gardens currently at Yalding's organic garden complex, some of which are historical gardens like the Tudor Knot Garden. Gardeners looking to spot a few rare plants would do well to head here to Yalding. Attractions include the Woodland Trail Walk, the Apothecary Garden and checkout the Edwardian influenced Herbaceous Borders. There's a children's garden here too!

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Pinetums & Groombridge Kent Weald Gardens

If you're looking to explore the essence of the Kent Weald's many gardens and forestested area, then basing yourself in or around Royal Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook and charming village Lamberhurst is a good idea. A huge number of Kent gardens and forested areas of national importance are in the area, with more gardens afoot just over the Kent/Sussex Border. Popular garden choices include Groombridge Place with its enchanted forest and gardens, Marle Place Gardens and the Bedgebury Pinetum, one of the 7 Wonders of the Kent Weald (see 7 Wonders of the Weald webguide right for details).

Parts of Groombridge, south west of Tunbridge Wells, have recently featured in a new film adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. Groombridge combines traditional heritage gardens with ancient woodland to great effect. The formal gardens date from the 17th century and remained open only to the select few for around 300 years! Twentieth century additions included the Knot Garden and White Garden. The Drunken Garden was a favourite of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who visited Groombridge often. He used Groombridge for The Valley of Fear, called Birlstone Manor in the novel.

Another stunning Kent Weald garden in the area, east of Tunbridge Wells, is Marle Place Gardens and Wood. Covering 10 acres, Marle Place features a Victorian Gazebo and delightful Edwardian rock garden. See also the webguides right for nearby Bedgebury Pinetum, Kent's finest forest area consisting of rare pines and conifers - walking, cycling and birdwatching are all popular here. See also webgides for Bewl Water, a huge reservoir south of pretty Lamberhurst village. Watersports, especially sailing, and fly fishing are popular at Bewl. Other attractions nearby include the historic remains of old Bayham Abbey dating from between the 13th and 15th centuries, and another of the 7 wonders of the Weald - Lamberhurst Vineyards.

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Lullingstone World Garden Kent Downs

Lullingstone Castle's award winning World Garden, created by Tom Hart Dyke pulls in the crowds. Lullingstone sits within the Kent Downs north of Sevenoaks and is easily accessed off the M25 motorway.

Hart Dyke and friend were kidnapped whilst in the Panamanian Jungle in 2000. He designed the garden during the kidnap. Read Tom's blog and details on the ever growing Lullingstone World Garden via the webguide. Lullingstone Park Visitor Centre in the heart of 460 acres of glorious Kent Downs countryside is where to head to find out more about the history of Lullingstone Park which was once a medieval deer park. Pick up leaflets for trails and walks here, plus information on nearby ancient woodland Shoreham Woods.

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