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Last updated on 21 December 11

Sissinghurst Garden

  3.9/5 (11 ratings)

Gardenvisit Editorial

A sixteenth century tower, and other buildings, with the most famous twentieth century garden in England. Sissinghurst garden is a prime example of the Arts and Crafts style. The garden was made on the site of a medieval manor and some structures survive. Harold Nicolson, a diplomat and author, laid down the main lines of the Sissinghurst design in the 1930s. Vita Sackville-West, a poet, a garden writer and Harold's wife, took responsibility for the planting at Sissinghurst garden. She worked as an 'artist-gardener'. Her planting design was brilliant. The historical importance of Sissinghurst Castle Garden comes from its role in transmitting Gertrude Jekyll's design philosophy to a host of visitors. The most famous and influential feature of Sissinghurst is the White Garden. It exemplified and popularised Jekyll's idea of using colour themes in planting design.

Address - Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent, England, TN17 2AB
Opening times - Mid March to early November. Friday to Tuesday.
Website - Visit the Sissinghurst Garden website

Designers and Influences

This garden has been designed and influenced by Vita Sackville-West

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Reviews and Comments

Have you visited this garden?

  • 4 months ago Anonymous said

    My wife & I greatly enjoyed our visit to your garden, but may I suggest something? It would be excellent if ALL the plants were display labelled, and if a catalogue which describes them were available for purchase.

    RATING 4.5 STARS

    (4.0/5)
  • 4 months ago Linda said

    The gardens are stunning. The castle is also nice with a lot of history - http://www.everycastle.com/Sissinghurst-Castle.html - but only one room could be visited when we were there.

    Although it is a bit expensive, I find that it makes a pleasant day-out.

    (4.0/5)
  • over 1 year ago Sean Will said

    quite simply - one of the best gardens in Kent!!

    (5.0/5)
  • almost 2 years ago Lorraine G said

    Stunning. The gardens are looking spectacular with wonderful colours and structure at every turn. World class. Well done to the National Trust team for looking after Sissinghurst so well.

    (5.0/5)
  • almost 2 years ago Family C said

    Visited today (18th July 2010) on a glorious sunny summer's day. Car parking is well maintained and there was a friendly greeting. As we're National Trust members there was no parking fee, or entry fee.

    Whoever said you can't exit and re-enter the gardens again (to use the facilities) is completely incorrect, you simply retain your ticket and show it again on re-entry...so you can use the lavatories and break for food and drinks (or eat your own picnic on the lawns before garden entry - they provide loan of rugs)

    It's true to say there's no house to tour - but it is Sissinghurst Castle GARDENS, not Sissinghurst Castle and when you see how many full time staff are employed, you can see how much the property costs to run.

    The gardens were looking beautiful, provided lots of inspiration to tackle our own, and the views of surrounding countryside are fabulous.
    Although it was very well attended, there is enough space and lots of places to sit and relax, to take your time and go at your own pace.

    The National Trust is doing great work preserving places for the nation and I'm pleased our subs are helping a little bit.

    *for anyone visiting the area, it's easy to combine a visit to Sissinghurst with any number of other NT properties which are not too far away - we also visited Bateman's (former home of Rudyard Kipling) today.

    (4.0/5)

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