Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Estate walk
After exploring Sissinghurst's garden, try this circular walk to see highlights of the wider estate, including the 16th-century tower and the Castle Farm. Nestled in the heart of the Kent Weald, this landscape inspired the creation of a world-class garden and the prolific writing of Vita Sackville-West.
Total steps: 6
Total steps: 6
Start point
Sissinghurst Castle Garden National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ807384
Step 1
From the car park, follow the path towards the castle. Walk to left of the castle and continue along the medieval moat, following it round to the right at the Gazebo. Continue along this path, through a gate and down the hill towards the lake. At the bottom of the field, go through the gate and turn left around the lower lake.
Step 2
After crossing the second bridge, turn right and continue along the ride through the traditional coppice woodland.
Step 3
After 380yd (350m) you will reach a waymarker. Here, you have two options. For the shorter route (marked on map with dotted line), turn right and continue up the hill across Park Field towards the car park. For the longer route, bear left then right and continue 460yd (420m) along the ride until you reach the edge of the woodland, where you will find another waymarker. Turn right down a narrow path and continue over the stile into Park Field.
Step 4
Bear slightly to the left across the parkland, taking in the views of the castle and estate. At the next stile, cross the drive and enter Bull and Birches Woods. Follow the path for 66yd (60m) then turn right along the public footpath up the field. At the top turn right, pass through the second double gate then bear diagonally left across the orchard.
Step 5
Cross the track and join the bridleway, passing the vegetable plots on your right, and continue along this track until you reach a waymarker. Turn right into the field and follow the margin until you come to a metal gate.
Step 6
At the gate, bear right onto the lane and follow it to the next gate on your right. Go through this gate onto the path, taking in the views before continuing over the stream back to the castle.
End point
Sissinghurst Castle Garden National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ807384
Trail map
More near here
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.
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