Historic Gardens

Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst

Picture of Scotney Castle The ruined 14th century moated castle is the focal point of this romantic garden set within a 770 acre estate and managed by the National Trust. The garden is classically picturesque, with a quarry garden and natural features. Beautiful displays of rhododendron, azalea and kalmia can be seen in May and June, with trees and shrubs providing dazzling autumn colour.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle

Sissinghurst Castle, near Cranbrook

Picture of Sissinghurst Castle This iconic 9 acre garden lies nestled in the beautiful Weald of Kent countryside surrounded by 450 acres of ancient woodland and farmland. The gardens, the result of a close collaboration between the writer and gardener Vita Sackville-West and her husband, the diplomat Harold Nicolson, were largely created between 1930 and 1939. The formal structure of the garden is attributed to Harold who described the separate enclosures as a succession of intimacies, whilst Vita was responsible for the exuberant planting that still provides wonderful displays of colour throughout the year. Since 1967, Sissinghurst has been managed by the National Trust.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle

Squerryes Court, Westerham

Picture of Squerryes Court The house is a fine ( Grade 1 listed) William and Mary style manor house. The site was occupied by the de Squerie family in the 13thC passing through many hands until purchased by Sir Nicholas Crisp in 1680 who built the present house. His son sold it to the Edward Villiers, Earl of Jersey, who is thought to have developed the extensive formal gardens illustrated in the Badeslade engraving in Harris’History of Kent,1719. In the 18thC and 19thC the grounds were landscaped into rolling vistas with much of the formal gardens lost. The current owners, the Warde family, are continuing a programme of restoration which is returning much of the east gardens to their original form.

www.parksandgardens.org/places/squerryes-court