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.

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Place

Chartwell

Family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill

View of historic stone building with green grass and deer in front of the building. There is blue sky with a few clouds and a partial view of a green-leaved tree on one side.

Place

Knole

Take in the scale and magnificence of this 600-year-old estate with its courtyards, showrooms, Gatehouse Tower and acres of parkland.

A view of the Rose Garden from the Elizabethan Tower at Sissinghurst

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.

The south east corner of the house reflected on the moat

Place

Ightham Mote

Outstanding 14th-century moated manor house, gardens and estate

Image of visitor walking along the clifftop at the White Cliffs of Dover, Kent on a sunny day in August

Place

The White Cliffs of Dover

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

Splashes of autumn colour set against a bright blue, cloudless sky in the South Garden at Emmetts Garden, Kent

Place

Emmetts Garden

Edwardian hillside garden with year-round features

Pink, white and yellow dahlias in the Walled Garden at Chartwell, Kent

Gardens in Kent

Spring blossom by the house at Scotney Castle, Kent

Houses and buildings in Kent

A summer view across the Weald of Kent from Mariners Hill, a National Trust countryside site in Kent

Countryside and woodland in Kent

People walking dog at One Tree Hill, Kent

Walking in Kent

Family-friendly places in Kent

Dog-friendly places in Kent

People sat at tables enjoying eating and drinking inside the tea-room at Knole in Kent

Places to eat in Kent

A garden volunteer kneeling in the lower Alpine area at Emmetts Garden in Kent

Volunteering in Kent

Discover year-round interest in walled gardens, vegetable plots and borders – and one of the most famous gardens in the country.

Autumn leaves in the foreground at Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, Kent, with the ruins of the fourteenth-century moated castle in the distance

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.

A view over the misty garden at Ightham Mote manor house, complete with small bridge, pond and shrubbery

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.

Apple blossom with the house in the background at Chartwell, Kent

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.

Visitors admire the stone columns and plants in the re-created Delos garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, 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.

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.

A girl in a pink coat looks happy as she throws fallen leaves into the air

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.

Ghosts at the Mote trail at Ightham Mote

October half term in Kent

There are tricks and treats galore at our places in Kent for spooky season. From ghostly trails to secret curses and even pumpkin parties, discover spine-shivering family fun for October half term.

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.

Woodland pathway through Oldbury Hill, Kent

Place

Oldbury Hill

Discover the remains of an Iron Age hill fort

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.

Place

The White Cliffs of Dover

Magnificent coastal site overlooking the English Channel

A man and a child are walking a black-and-white dog through a grassy field towards South Foreland Lighthouse, Kent. The lighthouse is painted white and stands against a grey cloud that's hanging in the sky.

Place

South Foreland Lighthouse

Striking and historical lighthouse high on The White Cliffs of Dover

A cyclist enjoying a ride along a leafy lane in the Kent countryside

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.

Spring sun through the trees at Toys Hill, Kent

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.

Christmas tree decor at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

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.

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.

Whether you're looking to travel by train or bus. Plan your visit using greener travel options.

Bicycle leaning against a wall at Ightham Mote, Kent.

Article

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.

Cyclist at Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex

Article

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.

A tour group in woodland at Scotney Castle, Kent

Article

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.

See all events

Event

Selby Spies: Intrigue at Ightham Garden Trail

Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Kent

Explore the garden as you discover the shadowy story of the Selby family at Ightham Mote

Event

Guided Garden Tours: Herbaceous Borders (2-27 September)

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The mainstay of many an English garden, there is something magical about a herbaceous border. Hear how we plan, plant and care for our borders here at Scotney.

Event

Discovering Scotney: Guided Garden Tours

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

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.

Event

Snapper Snapped: Photos from the Scotney Collection

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Enjoy a new display in the Friends Room in the mansion house of rare archive photographs from the Scotney collection.

Event

Conservation Week at Knole

Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent

Visit Knole's showrooms to discover how the collection is cared for and see the Collections and House team at work.

Event

'Changed Priorities Ahead' exhibition (1 June-20 October)

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Teazels, cowslips, toadflax, vetch ... Discover the wildflower paintings of contemporary landscape artist, Nessie Ramm, displayed both inside the old castle and doors and as a trail in the garden.

Event

Exhibition: Selby Spies

Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Kent

Discover the shadowy story of the Selby family at Ightham Mote this summer and their connection to the mysteries of Elizabeth I’s court and secret schemes of Mary Queen of Scots.

Event

Vita: Discover a story of love and life at Knole

Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent

Discover the story of Vita Sackville-West’s life at Knole.

Explore an area nearby

Visitors exploring the sand dunes and the woodland at Formby, Liverpool

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

Plan a visit