Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicholson used their fame and wealth to take on Sissinghurst Castle and turn it into an eminent garden.
Originally dating from Tudor times the castle was bought by the pair in the 1930s and the garden created in the style of rooms. Around the tower is the White Garden set between high old walls, around paths, box hedging and rose arches. It’s is part of the inspiration for our White Garden but the layout is more similar to our Kitchen Garden. Last time we went stunning meadows dominated by corn-flowers were set in the outer courtyard.
Star Plants
Daylily Stafford
Carmine stars
One of our favourite red daylilies with a yellow throat. Flowers throughout July
Ammi Majus
Bishop's flower
Neatest and most graceful of the Umbellifer-type flowers. A posh version of Queen Anne’s Lace
Crocosmia
Lucifer's fiery sprays
The most popular crocosmia and one of the tallest. Sets off the yellows in a hot border
Hydrangea
Annabelle
In profusion it resembles a landscape of white clouds and can flower into October
Reasons to go
- Combination of garden and historic gardening celebrities all-in-one place
- Finding your own path through the maze of paths, doorways and hedges
- Classic garden checklist: formal, cottage, veg, nuttery, meadow, orchard, rose garden, lime walk…
- Include a stop at the tower top
- Full range of NT attractions and eateries
- Buildings and plants are picture perfect
In a nutshell
- Time to allow: 3 hours for the garden; all day for walks around the 400 acre estate
- Favourite area: the White Garden
- Best for: harmony of buildings and garden
- Run by: The National Trust
- Unusual for: Tower views – both in and out
- Good points: Historic approach, mix of garden styles, crisp-edged hedges, old paths and walls, meadows
- Bad points: We’re nervous about NT’s attempt to return it to a more relaxed style that Vita would have recognised, it attracts crowds.
For the latest garden information, prices and opening times: