|
The gardens at Sissinghurst Castle in the Weald of Kent, near Cranbrook, Goudhurst and Tenterden is owned and maintained by the National Trust.
Created by Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicolson in the 1930s, it is one of the best loved gardens in the
whole of the United Kingdom drawing visitors from all over the world.
The garden itself is designed as a series of "rooms", each with a different character
of colour and/or theme, the walls being high clipped hedges.
The site is ancient - its name comes from the Saxon and means 'clearing in the woods'.
A stone manor surrounded by a moat was built in the Middle Ages. The original
building was replaced in the 15th century by a large manor built by the Baker family - related by marriage to the Sackvilles of
Knole.
Vita and Harold found the place after concern that their Knole property was close to development over which they had no
control. They purchased it in 1930 and began constructing the garden we know today. It was first opened to the public in
1938.
The National Trust took over the gardens in 1967. The gardens are now very popular and visitors should be prepared for a wait
for admission during busy periods.
List of notable historical gardens
|