Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens near Cranbrook in Kent are the world famous work of writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson.

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens are known the world over for their history and tranquillity. They are set around an Elizabethan house and have beautiful woodland and lakeside walks that are delightful throughout the year.

Sissinghurst Castle has been on this site in various forms since the late 12th century, when it was surrounded by a moat. In 1480 the Baker family, who were related to the Sackvilles by marriage, built a brick mansion on the site. From 1560-70 Sir Richard Baker built an Elizabethan mansion which was celebrated as one of the finest buildings in the Weald. In the 1700's the house was used to hold French prisoners of war and, after a change in the families fortune, the castle began a long decline into disrepair. In 1930 Vita Sackville-West bought the castle and she and her husband, Sir Harold Nicolson worked tirelessly to transform the garden into what it is today. Upon Vita's death in 1962 it was decided that the site would be given over to the National Trust who still run it to this day.