Sissinghurst Castle
Biddenden Road, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB
Originally built to serve as a moated manor house, the 13th-century Sissinghurst Castle has hosted royals such as the late Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary Tudor over the years. Today, the imposing castle is best known for the spectacular Sissinghurst Gardens, the inspired creation of 20th-century owner and poet Vita Sackville-West.
The basics
Visit Sissinghurst Castle and its surrounding gardens on a tour of Kent and Sussex’s best gardens—which typically also cover Great Dixter House or Scotney Castle. You can also discover why Kent is known as the “Garden of England” on an electric bike tour that lets you explore Sissinghurst Castle and the English countryside without breaking a sweat. If you’ve got longer to spare, explore the castle as part of a multi-day tour of southwest England, which typically features the White Cliffs of Dover and Leeds Castle.
Things to know before you go
- Sissinghurst Castle is a must-visit attraction for history buffs and lovers of horticulture.
- On the site of the castle, you’ll find a cafe, restaurant, gift shop, and museum.
- Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and varied terrain, the castle and gardens are a difficult place for strollers and wheelchair users to access.
How to get there
Sissinghurst Castle is located in Southeast England, approximately 52 miles (85 kilometers) from London. The closest train station is Staplehurst, from which it is recommended to book a taxi in advance; the journey to the castle takes around 15 minutes. From the village of Sissinghurst, you can walk to the castle in around 10 minutes.
When to get there
The castle and gardens are open throughout the year—except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day—however certain parts of the garden are occasionally restricted due to weather conditions such as snow and ice.
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Sissinghurst is part of the Tunbridge Wells borough, which serves as a mecca for history buffs and nature lovers. Ride a vintage steam train along the Spa Valley railway; go ambling along nature trails in the Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, and travel back in time at the Cranbook Museum.
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