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Sissinghurst, Kent

Sissinghurst in Kent is the garden of the writer Vita Sackville West and Harold Nicholson, created in the 1930s. It has a twentieth century combination of the formal and the "natural". The tower in the middle of the garden is a wonderful place to look around at the various landscapes. Beyond the garden the countryside is itself beautiful, which adds another dimension to the combination of formal and natural settings. The house and garden are now owned by the National Trust. There is a restaurant and a shop.

Sissinghurst is in fact a result not so much of a "theory" of garden design, but of the contrasting personalities of the garden's two creators. Sissinghurst was rescued in the 1930s by Harold Nicholson and his wife Vita Sackville West. Harold's taste was classical, preferring geometrical patterns and symmetry. Vita was more romantic, and enjoyed a looser scheme in the garden. Working together Harold and Vita came to produce a garden where one style sets off the other beautifully. Strangely the style they created together reflected wider trends in garden design.

Opening Times: The garden is open from March 15th to November 2nd 11am - 6.30pm Friday to Tuesday. The library and study are open from March 15th to October 12th.

Directions: Sissinghurst is on the A262, one mile east of Sissinghurst village in Kent. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Sissinghurst.

Access: wheelchair access is good for most of the garden. There are adapted toilet facilities.

Contact:

telephone: 01580 710700

e-mail: sissinghurst@nationaltrust.org.uk

web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk