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Garden Name: Lullingstone Castle
Last Modified: 08/03/2010
Garden ID: 0566

pic: 0566_LullingstoneCastle.jpg

Owner: Tom Hart Dyke
Address:
World Garden at Lullingstone Castle
Eynsford

Postcode: DA4 0JA
County: Kent

tel: 01322-862114
fax: 01322 862115
website: www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk
email: info {at} lullingstonecastle.co.uk

Features: 
Plants planted in their respective countries of origin in a 3D world map-shaped garden as featured on TV.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
3rdApr- 26th Sept; Fri & Sat; 12noon - 5pm; Sun and BHs. 2pm - 6pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Apr- Sept

To see: 
Exotic plants from around the world

National Collection: 
Eucalyptus

National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: 13thJune

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: By prior arrangement for min. 20 people. Wed or Thurs.
House and Garden open exclusively for pre-booked groups on Weds and Thurs during season.

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: Sat - Sun; 11.00am - 5pm on event days
Bank Holiday weekends 2-6pm

Admission Prices:
Adult £6; Child £3; Over 60s £5.50; Family £15; Season, 1 year £20; Season, 2 year £30
Groups (20+) Adults £8pp plus £40 per group for Tom or dedicated guide.
HHA members free
2 for 1 entry to English Heritage members on production of EH membership card.

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: No
Teas: No
Refreshments: No
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
May 9th Plant Fair. 
June 6th Florist Day
11th July Europa Sculpture unveiling and Weather Station opening.
24/25th July Plant Hunter weekend featuring William Lobb
August 14th/15th Dahlia Weekend
12th September Plant Fair - The Hardy Plant Society
2nd October Lullingstone
 Guest Lecture with Tony Kirkham, Head of Arboreculture at Kew Gardens


Designer: Tim Hart Dyke and Adam S. Bailey
Description of Garden:
Tom Hart Dyke's garden has progressed rapidly from a curiosity to a fully-fledged realistion of one of the most ambitious projects any private garden has undertaken under its own steam in the UK since, probably, the Edwardian era over 100 years ago. The remarkable genesis of the idea happened when Tom Hart Dyke was held captive for 9 months by Colombian bandits when a plant-hunting expedition went badly wrong, through no fault of his own. After his release, the extraordinary difficulties he encountered in building his creation in the walled garden of his family home, and his eventual triumph over them against considerable odds, were charted in a highly successful BBC2 series shown in 2005, avidly watched by lovers of English eccentricity all over the country. 

Nearly 9,000 species of plants from all over the world have since been added to the garden which is laid out in an (approximate) map of the world with the plants located in their countries of origin so that the public can see from which parts of the world the plants emanate. No doubt many people will be surprised to discover that their favourite plants actually come from far more exotic locations than they would imagine.

The garden is now well worth visiting, even from distant parts of the UK, such is the extraordinary layout and the boundless enthusiasm of its owner, and it can only get better!


History: 
Construction began in earnest in 2004 and Phase One was completed in July 2005. Apart from the 8,000 species he has added, the garden now boasts a National Collection of Eucalyptus which includes the now-famous Caesia "Silver Princess" which Tom has managed to nurture into flowering in what is believed to be the first time ever in UK horticultural history.

Local Inns: 
The Plough, Eynsford

Accomodation: 


Restaurants: 


Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Eynsford, Kent