Sissinghurst Castle Garden & Pub Lunch

Historic, poetic, iconic: a refuge dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a world-renowned garden.

 

Sat within the ruins of a great Elizabethan house, framed by the rich Kentish landscape of woods, farmland, lakes and streams, the famous garden with romantic pink brick tower is the result of creative tension between the formal design of Harold Nicolson and the abundant planting of his wife, Vita Sackville-West.

 

The site that Sissinghurst Castle Garden sits on was once a Saxon pig farm, it would have been originally called 'Saxenhurst', with 'hurst' having meant woodland.

The Tudor buildings were used as a prison for up to 3,000 French sailors who were captured by the British during the Seven Years War, between 1756 - 63.

Held for months at a time in vile, stinking conditions, the prisoners lived in 'cells' with little access to fresh air, clean water or adequate food supplies.

 

We spend some time at Sissinghurst Castle Garden this morning, allowing you plenty of time to explore the grounds.

We then move on to a nearby pub this afternoon for a lovely 2 - course pub lunch. Menu to be confirmed.

PICK UP ROUTE: A2

 

 

Information from Sissinghurst Castle Garden

 

Granary Restaurant

Why not pre-book your morning coffee, lunch or cream tea in our restaurant.Bookingsforfood&drinkaretakenseparetlybytheRestaurant

If you prefer not to pre-book, visitors can enjoy a lunch prepared from our seasonally changing menu. Hot food can be found in the restaurant between 12pm and 3pm as well as coffee, tea and cake all day.

 

The Old Dairy

Our coffee shop is housed in the former cow sheds with hot and cold drinks, light bites and ice cream, as well as our second- hand book shop.

 

Plant Shop

Plants are at the very heart of Sissinghurst and our nursery is the hub of the garden. Take a little piece of Sissinghurst home with you as most of the plants are propagated within our onsite nursery.

 

Gift Shop

Once the piggery, this lovely old building now houses a huge array of products. Whether it's a gift or a treat for yourself, you're sure to find something amongst the accessories, books, cards and preserves. We've got our own range of products inspired by the garden too so you can pick up greeting cards and prints of local artist's work or a wide range of books about and written by the family.

 

Library

Nicknamed 'The Big Room', this atmospheric space was originally used for entertaining by Vita and Harold and is now home to exhibitions throughout the year

 

Tower

Home to Vita's Writing Room. Vast panoramic views of the formal garden, working farm and 450-acre wider estate from the very top.

 

The Garden

A symbol of love and horticultural ambition, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in the early 1930s. Designed in a series of 'rooms' with summer highlights including the Rose Garden and the White Garden.

 

Accessibility

Adapted toilet on level ground at visitor reception and via ramp at restaurant. Due to narrow pathways, pushchairs are not allowed in the main garden but carriers are welcome. There is a step free route around the property and garden, but please note that this may be difficult to navigate due to uneven terrain. Unfenced lakes, moat and ponds around the estate.