Sissinghurst Castle Garden

About the garden

Owned by

National Trust

When poet and writer Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat and author husband Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle in the early 1930s, it looked quite different from what we see today. The buildings were used to house farm workers and the garden, which had yet to be laid out, mostly grew vegetables. The surrounding farm grew cereals and there were also well-established orchards and hop gardens.

Created over 30 years, Harold's architectural planning of the garden rooms and the colourful, abundant planting in the gardens by Vita reflect the romance and intimacy of her poems and writings. Heralded for its beauty and diversity, the garden at Sissinghurst is said to be one of the most famous gardens in England – the epitome of the English garden.

After researching to find out more about Vita and Harold's original design, the National Trust is taking steps to recapture the vision that they had. Keep an eye out for changes around the garden in 2023, and don't miss the vast panoramic views from the top of the Tower, the working farm and the 450-acre wider estate.

Please note: this is a partially accessible garden.