There is no castle or large country house here, but there are some interesting buildings. The site of Sissinghurst Castle Garden was once a Saxon pig farm, it would originally have been called 'Saxenhurst', where 'hurst' meant forest.
The Tudor buildings were used as a prison for up to 3,000 French sailors captured by the British during the Seven Years' War, between 1756-63. For months, the prisoners were held in horrible, smelly conditions, in 'cells' with little access to fresh air, clean water or adequate food.
The sailors called Sissinghurst 'le chateau', hence the inclusion of 'castle' in the name, although this is not a direct translation.
(National Trust)

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Christine🔹

April 9, 2024

Worth the high entrance fee, the gardens are a dream in every season and very well maintained, the tower is worth climbing (and you can see Vita's study)
The shop is great, the café has... Hmmm... potential.

Translated by Google •

51m

August 5, 2023

Sissinghurst has a long and interesting history; from its origins as a Saxon pig farm, a prison in the mid 1700s and then as the home of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson who bought it in the 1930s and transformed the garden.

Today the National Trust own and manage the house, castle and estate. The main castle and gardens are paid entry for non-NT members, but you can explore the estate without paying.

The NT café and shop near the visitor centre at the entrance is free to enter and worth a visit.

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Elevation 60 m

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Tuesday 18 November

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Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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Location: Cranbrook & Sissinghurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, South East England, England, United Kingdom

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