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Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
Find fairy tale castles, a treasure house fit for a king, the home of Churchill and a world-renowned garden dedicated to beauty. These are just some of Kent’s highlights along with spectacular coastline, ancient woodlands and rolling downs. Discover what to see and do in the Garden County of England.
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.
Ruined medieval castle. Victorian mansion house. Rolling parkland. Ancient woodland. Picturesque garden. With romance, drama and nature around every corner, Scotney is truly a castle for all seasons.
Discover year-round interest in walled gardens, vegetable plots and borders – and one of the most famous gardens in the country.
Gardens in Kent burst into life in springtime. From sunshine-yellow daffodils at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, to beautiful blossom across the gardens at Chartwell and a sea of tulips at Emmetts Garden. The orchards are soon filled with fruit tree flowers, including heritage varieties in delicate pink and white. Magnolia trees are a particular favourite, lining the paths later in spring at Chartwell and Sissinghurst. Blue skies bring with them beautiful reflections in the lakes at Ightham Mote, whilst Scotney’s Flower Festival spreads spring cheer into the mansion house too. Discover more highlights for the spring season in Kent.
Kent’s Head Gardeners and gardening experts reveal their summer highlights. From hopelessly romantic old roses at world-famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden, to new exotic planting at Scotney Castle. Plus stunning Wealden views from Chartwell, and a slice of Italy in the rose garden at Emmetts Garden. Pause in Ightham Mote’s Quiet Garden, surrounded by 700 centuries of history. Fast forward to the early twentieth century in the rose garden at nearby Bateman’s, designed by Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling. For boutique beauty, try Smallhythe Place, Quebec House or Lamb House.
Explore rich evergreens at Emmetts Garden and garden water features at Chartwell and Ightham Mote. Keep your eyes peeled for the pure white of snowdrops as they begin to grow. Our gardens offer peace and tranquillity in the winter months. Wrap up warm and take in their structural beauty.
With gardens filled with colour and orchards hanging low with fruit, autumn is a great time for a day out at National Trust places nearby. Catch late flowers in the Purple Border in early autumn at Sissinghurst, and breathe in the intoxicating scent of the Katsura Cercidiphyllum japonicum (toffee apple tree) near the North Lake at Ightham Mote. Dahlias and sunflowers continue to bloom in the early autumn sunshine at Chartwell. Later in the season, spot weird and wonderful mushrooms emerging at Emmetts Garden.
A full-length portrait of John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset (1745-1799), gazes imperiously over the showrooms at Knole once more. After expert cleaning and conservation, visit Knole to see the eighteenth century masterpiece by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) in vivid colour and newly restored detail. Watch a short video to hear how expert conservators, including in the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole, transformed the Duke back to glory.
An original illustration from 'The Jungle Book' has gone on display at Bateman’s, family home of the story's author Rudyard Kipling. The large watercolour is one of just four known to have survived from a set of 16 painted for the book by the Detmold twins. See more illustrations of the much-loved tale from around the world in a new display. Plus, browse illustrated story editions and hear a reading of the classic tale in our new cosy reading space.
Love gifts collected by Vita Sackville-West from the ruins of the ancient palace of Persepolis in Persia (now modern-day Iran) are reunited for the first time in nearly a century at Sissinghurst Castle Garden. The pieces of sculpture were gifted by Vita to her lover Virginia Woolf and husband Harold Nicolson. They are part of a new exhibition revealing untold stories, unseen photos and personal mementoes from Vita and Harold’s time in 1920s Persia.
Roman finds have gone on display in the tearoom at Smallhythe. The head of a figurine of the god Mercury - one of less than 10 ever discovered from Roman Britain – was discovered during a dig there last summer. There are also tiles stamped with the mark of the Roman fleet (the Classis Britannica) and an intact pot, all dating from 1st to 3rd centuries AD. The discoveries were 'quite exceptional', says archaeologist Nathalie Cohen. In the main house, discover the story of Victorian actress Ellen Terry. Open Wed to Sun from 28 February.
Let little explorers loose in the outdoors. They'll love squelching in mud kitchens, scrambling across natural play areas and running free across open meadows at places like Chartwell, Knole and Sissinghurst Castle Garden.
Find inspiration for your next family day out in Kent, with nature-themed activities ranging from spotting fish to bug hotels.
New family trails, a teddy bears' picnic and geology-inspired activities for May half term in Kent
We’re hosting lots of events to celebrate nature and climate action during Great Big Green Week 2024. From guided nature walks to conservation activities and climate action conversations.
Join a series of parkland walks for Great Big Green Week. Discover seasonal highlights and hear how the park team is adapting to climate challenges on a Nature Park Walk (8 & 16 June). Do your bit on a litter pick whilst learning about this special landscape (9 & 15 June). Boost your mood on the Wellbeing Walk (12 June) with fresh air, nature, and spectacular scenery in plentiful supply. Booking essential.
Become a nature explorer this Great Big Green Week at the White Cliffs BioBlitz day. Help us identify the many wildlife and plants that call the White Cliffs home. There will be face painting and family crafts too. 15 June, drop in 10.30am to 4pm, free event.
Learn about Scotney’s resident reptiles, try pond dipping and get simple gardening tips for climate change in a series of free walks, talks and tours for Great Big Green week. Meanwhile beautiful wildflower murals painted onto road signs by artist Nessie Ramm celebrate forgotten flowers and Scotney’s conservation projects.
Buzz over to Bateman’s for a Beginners Guide to Identifying Bees workshop. Learn about their colour patterns and body shape, and join the hive in the gardens up close. Our experts will share top tips on how to attract and support these important pollinators in your own garden too (13 June & 3 July, £25 per person). Plus, there are pop up garden talks throughout Great Big Green Week with our team.
Whether you’re an archaeological amateur or the next Indiana Jones, celebrate the Festival of Archaeology with the National Trust.
Get up-close to artefacts uncovered at Knole, or join a guided parkland walk revealing its fascinating archaeological history (18, 21, 23 July, £7.50, booking essential). There’s a family day on 22 July. Dress up for archaeologist selfies, test your sorting skills and join archaeology-inspired arts and crafts. Book admission to guarantee entry.
Previous digs have revealed Smallhythe’s story as a medieval shipbuilding site and Roman settlement. Pay a visit to see some of the team’s fascinating finds. There are also drop-in meet and greets with the dig teams and an evening talk with our expert archaeologist, Nathalie Cohen. On 13 & 14 July join us for Smallfest, a family celebration of archaeology with drawing, games and more.
A real-life archaeological dig launches at Bodiam’s Roman Wharf area on 27 July. From ‘behind-the-rope’ and after-hours tours to expert meet-and-greets, there’s loads of ways to get involved with 'Bodiam100'. For more archaeology-themed fun, get hands-on with finds from previous digs on Fridays, 10am to 3pm. Plus, kids can test their dig skills at the Medieval Fair from 24 to 28 July.
Ruined medieval castle. Victorian mansion house. Rolling parkland. Ancient woodland. Picturesque garden. With romance, drama and nature around every corner, Scotney is truly a castle for all seasons.
The Kent coast is home to towering chalk cliffs and grass downland teeming with wildlife. Pack your binoculars and get ready to take in some fantastic views.
With a network of bridleways, there are plenty of ways to explore Toys Hill including horse riding, mountain biking, road cycling and running on a 6km Run England route.
Discover lots of walking routes, points of historical interest and wide-ranging views at one of Octavia Hill’s favourite places. Visit to see the landscape that inspired her.
Immerse yourself in rolling farmland and peaceful countryside. This cosy cottage is the perfect getaway for friends, family and one well-behaved dog.
Sitting on the edge of Sissinghurst Castle’s gardens, this is the perfect spot for garden lovers.
A peaceful site by one of the largest and finest Iron Age hillforts in the country, close to London and many National Trust places with free entry for campsite guests.
Whether you're looking to travel by train or bus. Plan your visit using greener travel options.
There are a number of sustainable travel options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Kent, whether you're looking to travel by train or bus.
There are a number of sustainable travel options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Sussex, whether you're looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot.
Can you spot all the animals hiding in our house and garden?
An immersive exhibition that reveals the travels and inspirations of Vita and Harold in 1920s Iran. Now extended until 19 May.
Discover the story of Vita Sackville-West’s life at Knole.
Join us this Spring for our series of displays celebrating renowned artist John Singer Sargent!
Join one of our estate guides on a tour around Scotney's woods and parklands to see seasonal flora and fauna and learn about the history of Scotney. This tour is included in your entry to Scotney.
Have you got a little one under 5? Then come along for a fun morning at Knole with babyccino coffee mornings and storytime in the bookshop.
Join one of our expert volunteer guides on an intimate tour of select rooms in the house at Chartwell, focusing on Sir Winston Churchill's love of painting.
Scotney has one of the best examples of a garden designed along Picturesque principles in the United Kingdom. Join our guided garden tours (free with your entry ticket) to discover what this means.
Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.