Becoming Gardeners: Vita & Harold at Sissinghurst and Long Barn
Discover Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson’s horticultural journey across five decades in this exclusive two-day course in collaboration with Long Barn Gardens.
- Booking essential
Five decades, two gardens, one vision.
Explore Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson’s gardening journey across five decades in this exclusive two-day course that will invite you to discover the creation of Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Long Barn Gardens.
Day one of the course is held at Long Barn in Sevenoaks, Vita and Harold’s first marital home from 1915 to 1932. Custodian and Head Gardener Rebecca Lemonius will host a series of engaging lectures and tours, with opportunities to explore the historic house and garden. Discover photos, anecdotes, drawings and the writings of Vita and Harold that would inform their future gardening design choices.
Day two of the course is held at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, where Vita and Harold’s horticultural learnings became legacy. Accompanied by our Senior Collections Officer and Senior Gardeners, unravel the secrets of Sissinghurst’s garden “rooms”, learn about Vita’s garden writing, and participate in activities inspired by Vita and Harold’s gardening techniques which you can apply to your own gardens at home.
The course will run twice in September:
Cohort 1 spends their day at Long Barn on the 7th of September and their day at Sissinghurst on the 20th of September.
Cohort 2 spends their day at Long Barn on the 14th of September and their day at Sissinghurst on the 27th of September.
If you would like to request a copy of the prospectus, please email noel.van@nationaltrust.org.uk
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| All | £360.00 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call 0344 249 1895
- Meeting point
When arriving at Long Barn, please meet on the terrace. When arriving at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, please meet at Visitor Reception.
- What to bring and wear
This event is partially outside so weather appropriate clothing is recommended. Wellies may be needed in the event of wet weather
- Accessibility
There is no step-free access or handrails at Long Barn Gardens due to historic terraced pathways and different levels in the house. Part of the course at Sissinghurst Castle Garden takes place upstairs in the Oast Exhibition Space. There is a step-free route around the main garden.
- Other
Lunch and refreshments will be provided at both locations
Upcoming events
Radical Relationships: A new display (1 June 2024 - 30 March 2025)
Explore how Vita, Harold and their inner creative circle did not fit with early 20th century societal norms of gender and sexuality. A new display told through the books in Vita and Harold's collection. Opening Saturday 1 June.
Vita's Knole: Love and Loss
Join Knole's Collections and House Manager for a fascinating talk and Q&A in connection with their current exhibition 'Vita: Discover a story of love and life at Knole'
Summer of Play at Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Join us for a Summer of Play at Sissinghurst Castle Garden with an Elizabethan twist.
Meet the Sissinghurst Scholars
More dates added. Meet the Sissinghurst Scholars, offering a rare opportunity to engage with team members of one of England's most iconic gardens.