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Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
Kent
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.
Places to visit
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Top places to visit in Kent
Place
Knole
Take in the scale and magnificence of this 600-year-old estate with its courtyards, showrooms, Gatehouse Tower and acres of parkland.
Place
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
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.
Place
Scotney Castle
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.
Join us for festive fun this Christmas in Kent
Christmas in Kent
Kent's famous houses will be decorated for Christmases gone by, from a sparkling 1930s Champagne Christmas at Chartwell to a sumptuous Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote. Have fun on new family trails with games, activities and festive characters. Keep an eye out for visits from Father Christmas himself on select dates and locations too. There are magical late-night openings, lights events and festive fairs. And it goes without saying that our cafés and tea-rooms will be filled with warming treats and Christmas lunches. Discover what's instore at National Trust places this Christmas in Kent.
Top gardens to visit in Kent
Discover year-round interest in walled gardens, vegetable plots and borders – and one of the most famous gardens in the country.
Autumn highlights
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.
Winter highlights
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.
Spring highlights
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.
Summer highlights
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.
What's on for families in Kent
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.
Family-friendly places in Kent
Find inspiration for your next family day out in Kent, with nature-themed activities ranging from spotting fish to bug hotels.
Castles and forts in Kent
Place
Scotney Castle
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.
Coast in Kent
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.
Outdoor activities in Kent
Activity
Cycling, riding and running at Toys Hill
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.
Activity
Walking at Toys Hill
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.
Places to stay in Kent
2 Bettenham Cottages
Immerse yourself in rolling farmland and peaceful countryside. This cosy cottage is the perfect getaway for friends, family and one well-behaved dog.
Priest's House
Sitting on the edge of Sissinghurst Castle’s gardens, this is the perfect spot for garden lovers.
Oldbury Hill Campsite
A peaceful woodland campsite near National Trust attractions, and an hour from London by train.
Sustainable travel
Whether you're looking to travel by train or bus. Plan your visit using greener travel options.
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Sustainable travel in Kent
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.
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Sustainable travel in Sussex
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.
Find your local Kent supporter group
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Supporter groups in Kent
Join your local supporter group in Kent to meet people and enjoy talks, visits, holidays, outdoor volunteering and other social and fundraising events.
Upcoming events
Event
The Yuletide Trail
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, KentDiscover how Christmas was celebrated at Sissinghurst over 400 years ago with our festive family trail.
Event
Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote (23 November - 5 January)
Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, KentCelebrate the festive season at Ightham Mote with a magnificent Tudor Christmas. With a roaring fire, a Tudor feast, and festive events, there's lots for the whole family to discover and enjoy.
Event
Winter Family Garden Trail
Emmetts Garden, Sevenoaks, KentEmbrace the magic of winter with your family at Emmetts Garden!
Event
Christmas at Sissinghurst Castle Garden (23 Nov - 5 Jan)
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, KentJoin us for an Elizabethan Christmas at Sissinghurst Castle Garden this festive season. Runs between 23 November and 5 January, excl. 24 & 25 December.
Event
'Tis The Season Christmas Trail at Knole
Knole, Sevenoaks, KentFollow Knole’s wintery trail around the parkland. Lift flaps and open doors to find 12 Christmas poems along with beautiful festive illustrations.
Event
Chartwell Christmas Family Trail
Chartwell, Westerham, KentWrap up warm and explore Chartwell gardens this Christmas!
Event
'Radical Relationships' display (1 June 2024 - 30 March 2025)
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, KentExplore how Vita, Harold and their inner creative circle did not fit with early 20th century societal norms of gender and sexuality. A display told through the books in Vita and Harold's collection.
Event
Aesme Studio: Winter at Sissinghurst
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, KentTake in this brand new floral installation in the garden during the winter months, in collaboration with Aesme Studio.
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