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Garden Name: Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Last Modified: 09/02/2010
Garden ID: 0247

pic: 0247x_Sissinghurst.jpg

Owner: National Trust
Address:
Sissinghurst
Cranbrook

Postcode: TN17 2AB
County: Kent

tel: 01580 710 700
fax: 01580 710 702
website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst/
email: sissinghurst {at} nationaltrust.org.uk

Features: 
One of the world's most celebrated gardens, the creation of Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson; Celebrated gardens designed by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson; Intimate setting in the grounds of an Elizabethan mansion; Romantic little compartments filled with colourful floral displays; Lakeside and woodland walks open all year; Lovely unspoilt Wealden countryside.

English Heritage Grade:
I

Opening Times:
Garden: 13th Mar - 31st Oct; Fri - Tues; 11am - 6pm 
Vegetable Garden: 1st May - 28th Sept; Fri - Tues; 12noon - 4pm
Estate: open all year.
Closes half-hour before dusk if earlier than 6pm. Garden open from 10 at weekends and BHols. Last admission 1hr before closing or dusk if earlier. Plant shop open 12-5:30

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Spring / early summer
Autumn

To see: 
Spring bulbs, roses
Autumn herbaceous

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: The library and Vita Sackville-West's study are open 14 Mar - 1 Nov until 4pm

Admission Prices:
Adult £9.50, child £4.70, family £23.50.

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:



Designer: 
Description of Garden:
The garden is made in the ruins of a large Elizabethan house set in unspoilt Wealden countryside. The garden described by Harold Nicolson as 'a succession of privacies', reflects the combination of thei owners' characters, he a classicist, who liked formality and clean lines, and Vita, a romantic who favoured profusion and surprise. She wrote, on first seeing the castle, "I fell in love; love at first sight. I saw what could be made of it. It was Sleeping Beauty's Castle, but a castle running away into sordidness and squalor, and a garden crying out for rescue." It is the combination of these two apparent opposite characters which has made the garden such a major influence on late 20th and early 21st century design.

The garden can best be described as a sequence of ten separate gardens linked by vistas. These include the White garden, Rose garden, Lime walk, Cottage garden, Tower lawn & Yew walk, Herb garden, the Moat walk and the Nuttery and the Orchard. The garden is of international importance and repute due to its historic interest, horticultural design significance, plant collection and reputation for the highest horticultural standards.


History: 
Sissinghurst Castle Garden is the twentieth century creation of two English aristocrats, Harold Nicolson & Vita Sackville-West. The tower dates from 1573 and was built for Elizabeth I's visit to Sissinghurst. At its base a tablet simply says "To Vita Sackville-West, who made this garden".

Local Inns: 
The Bull, Sissinghurst
Three Chimneys, Biddenden

Accomodation: 
B&B, Sissinghurst Farmhouse
Langley Oast, Langley
The Wren's Nest, Hawkhurst

Restaurants: 


Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Sissinghurst