Sissinghurst Castle Garden TN17 2AB
Free for NT Members
Open: Seasonal - See website
About:
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.
The sailors referred to Sissinghurst as 'le chateau' hence 'castle' being adopted into its name, although not a direct translation.
An original ink and dye drawing on display in the library gives a remarkable insight into what the Sissinghurst site would have looked like in the 18th century.
In 1796 the Cranbrook 'Councillors' took out a lease on Sissinghurst from the owners at the time, the Mann-Cornwallis family. This was to be used as a poor house for the able-bodied. Around 100 men were offered housing, employment and food. The owners repaired many of the buildings and their legacy is apparent even today: on the weathervanes you can see the markings MC 1839.
The inmates worked the farm, which became profitable, for the local parish. When the estate reverted back to the Cornwallis family in 1855 it was the beginning of a great period of Victorian 'high farming', and the Sissinghurst farm was deemed to be the best on the whole of the substantial Cornwallis estate.
When Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson bought Sissinghurst in early 1930 it looked quite different to the present day. The buildings were used to house farm workers, the current famous garden had yet to be laid out and was mostly used to grow vegetables for the workers. The surrounding farm was growing cereals as well as having well established orchards and hop gardens.
None of the buildings were inhabitable and the grounds were full of rubbish: old sardine tins, cabbage stalks and rusty bedsteads littered the ground. None of this mattered to Vita, who saw its great potential.
Dog Friendly:
Dogs on leads are welcome around the wider estate but are not allowed in the formal garden or the vegetable garden. If you wish to enter the garden with an assistance dog or another guide animal, please speak to Visitor Reception.
Entry Charge:
See website
Parking:
Car parking is free for National Trust members. If you are not a member, car parking is £4.50 and can be paid at Visitor Reception.
EV charge point
Facilities:
Cafe
Bookshop
Coffee Shop
Plant Shop
Restaurant
Shop
Tearoom
Toilets
Notes:
Designated disabled parking in the main car park.
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.
Contact:
Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB
Tel: 01580710700
Email:
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk