Sissinghurst

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is apparently (according to the National Trust) one of the world's most celebrated gardens, and rightly so! It is utterly beautiful.

Set in the Wealden countryside of Kent, Sissinghurst Castle Garden was created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson in the 1930s, on the ruins of a large Elizabethan moated stone house owned by a family related in marriage to the Sackvilles of Knole. From 1756 to 1763 Sissinghurst Castle was used to house French prisoners of war, after which two thirds of the buildings were demolished. Today the brick front range, circa 1490, and the Tower, circa 1565, still survive.

The views from the top of the tower are stunning, not only of the gardens, orchard and old moat, but of the surrounding countryside as well. Leave ample time to explore the spring garden, white garden and herb garden. The study, in which Vita worked, and Long Library are also open to visitors.

Date of Our Last Visit: July 2003