Sissinghurst Castle Gardens

Address – Sissinghurst nr Cranbrook Kent N17 2AB Phone 01580 710700 Opening times 17 Mar–28 Oct 07  11–6:30 Mo Tu   Fr Sa Su Collection/special features he ‘room’ style of the gardens and the work of Gertrude Jekyll Dog friendly? Under close control on estate walks (whatever that may mean, I think it’s not on extender leads or off the lead). Not allowed in garden Child friendly? Hmm, I would say that older children might enjoy the tower, but this is one of those places where children are ‘seen and not heard’ as in ‘No pushchairs admitted in the garden, as paths are narrow and uneven. Ball games etc not allowed in garden’ Description Comprising a sixteenth century tower with one of the most famous twentieth century gardens in England, Sissinghurst garden is a prime example of the Arts and Crafts style. The garden was made on the site of a medieval manor and some structures survive. Vita Sackville-West,  famous poet and garden writer, took responsibility for the planting at Sissinghurst garden. She worked as an ‘artist-gardener’. Her planting design was brilliant. The historical importance of Sissinghurst Castle Garden comes from its role in transmitting Gertrude Jekyll’s design philosophy to a host of visitors

Sissinghurst photograph by luxpim used under a creative commons licence