The very popular gardens of sissinghurst Castle are located 4km east of Cranbrook in Kent and are an excellent day trip from London.
The estate has a long history, much of which has been lost but fortunately some survives. Parts of the moat from the medieval manor are still visible; the archway, gatehouse and tower from the Elizabethan house; the farmhouse buildings date from the mid 19th century.
The wonderful gardens we see today have been built in the ruins of the Elizabethan house. They were created in the 1930s by the owners, Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicholson.
The gardens are divided into a series of walled or hedged gardens which flow from one to the next. Each garden has its own sense of colour and character and each offers a glimpse of the next.
They include:
- The Rose Garden
- The White Garden - a concept created here and copied ad infinitum elsewhere.
- The Cottage Garden, at its best in late summer and autumn with an array of gold to warm red flowers.
- The Herb Garden a sensory delight for sight and smell.
- The Lime Walk, at its best in spring with its long beds of tulips, fritillaries and hyacinths.
- Delos, quite beautiful in early spring with a carpet of pink chinodoxias, scillas and white anemones.
- The Nuttery.
- The Orchard.
- The Moat Lawn.
- The Tower Lawn.
- and the Purple Lawn.
If you have time it is worth climbing the 78 steps of the spiral staircase to the top of Vita's Tower, your reward is a great view of the whole garden and the surrounding countryside.
For those who would like walking it is possible to take a 1 mile walk around the perimeter of the estate, the path takes you through woodland (carpets of bluebells in spring) and passes two small lakes. Beware if it has been raining though, as the path can be quite muddy.
These wonderful gardens are very popular and become very crowded especially during summer holidays and at weekends. For an enjoyable visit choose your timing carefully, the earlier the better.
Author: Bob Saunders.
Restaurant The Granary Restaurant offers lunch prepared from local produce. The Old Dairy Coffee Shop serves coffee, sandwiches and snacks.
Shop There are two shops, a gift shop and a garden shop selling plants, accessories and furniture.
Disabled Access Wheelchair access to some areas of the gardens are difficult because of steps, also uneven and narrow paths. The gardens are not suitable for electronic mobility vehicles. There is disabled parking and access to the toilets and restaurant.
By Car 2 miles north-east of Cranbrook, 1 mile east of Sissinghurst village on Biddenden Road, off A262