The History of Sissinghurst

Sissinghurst is one of England’s most romantic country gardens, created by English Bloomsbury-set writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson. It features intimate garden “rooms” that showcase a captivating array of colors throughout the year. The renowned White Garden stands out as a highlight.

Sackville-West, a poet and novelist from the early 20th century, was an influential member of the bohemian Bloomsbury set during the 1920s. She is widely recognized for her garden and her intimate relationship with Virginia Woolf, whose novel Orlando was inspired by Sackville-West’s ancestral home, Knole.

A Notorious Couple

Sackville-West and Nicolson shared an early, and notably unconventional, open marriage, each having several affairs with same-sex partners. One of her notable lovers, Violet Keppel-Trefusis, was the great aunt of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, connecting Sissinghurst’s history to the British royal family.

Nevertheless, despite their unconventional relationship, Sackville-West and Nicolson remained devoted to each other, their children, and the creation of their beautiful garden.

An Overview of the Garden

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is the most visited garden in England. It’s important to note that afternoon visits tend to be quieter. The garden features a series of enclosed spaces or garden rooms, each designed and planted distinctively, yet all convey a sense of abundance and romanticism. Rare plants blend beautifully with traditional English cottage garden flowers, revealing surprising views and long vistas at every turn. Some of the remarkable garden “rooms” include:

• The Sunset Garden – designed with vivid hot colors reminiscent of a sunset.
• The Rose Garden – filled with a variety of roses, honeysuckle, figs, and vines.
• The White Garden – initially planted by Harold Nicolson in the 1950s, featuring white gladioli, white irises, and white Japanese anemones.
• The Herb Garden – showcasing only the “beautiful, the pungent, and the elegant.”
• The Nuttery – a shaded area with hazel and Kentish cobnut trees, which captivated Sackville-West and Nicolson.

Additional named areas include the Lime Walk, the Moat Walk, Delos, the Orchard, and the Purple Border, showcasing a blend of colors beyond just purple.

Special Events at Sissinghurst

During the summer months and leading up to the garden’s seasonal closing in late October, Sissinghurst hosts a variety of special events including garden and supper evenings, guided “paint in the garden” workshops, photography sessions, children’s “pond dipping” activities, and wildlife walks. Seasonal holiday events typically occur in November and December, with annual bluebell walks held in late April.

Visitor Essentials

• Where: Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Sissinghurst, nr Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB, England
• Phone: +44 (0)1580 710700
• Opening Times: The gardens are accessible from mid-March to the end of October, daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission occurs one hour before closing (or before dusk if earlier). The South Cottage and the 460-acre estate are available year-round.
• Check their Website for detailed information on shop, house, and restaurant opening hours.
• Admission: Various admission prices are offered for adults, children, families, and groups, with no discounts available for seniors or students. Visit the ticket web page for up-to-date pricing information. National Trust Members enjoy complimentary admission.
• Services for the Disabled: Wheelchairs are available for visitor use.
• Getting There:
  • By Car: Located in Kent, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is two miles northeast of Cranbrook and one mile east of Sissinghurst village on Biddenden Road, off the A262. The drive from central London takes about 60 miles or two hours.
  • By Train: Trains from London Charing Cross operate regularly to nearby Staplehurst, situated five miles away, with a journey time of less than an hour. The Maidstone to Hawkshurst bus (Arriva route 4/5) stops near the station and in Sissinghurst village, approximately one and a quarter miles away.