クランブルック＆シッシングハーストの洞窟・トップ5

A visit is always worthwhile

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)

Describing Sissinghurst Castle and Garden is not easy. Words like historical, poetic, iconic, beautiful, colorful, breathtaking almost come close to reality. It is a sanctuary dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a now world-famous garden in a very unique way.

The complex is dominated by the manor house on the hill and the ruin further down in the valley. The ruin was "created" from a functioning house several hundred years old by the owners of the manor house in order to obtain a romantic view. The two buildings are embedded in a beautiful garden. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle

There is a lot on offer for children, there are costume boxes, ring throwing and archery, a scavenger hunt and so on. Adults have to decide whether they want to go inside the ruins, only then does it cost admission (free for NT members, including parking) Inside there are 2 towers to climb via very high steps of a spiral staircase!

This garden, which is not so well known internationally, gave us so much joy! Incredible flowers, and that in April. The "new" house can be visited, the old one is just a very picturesque ruin. Entry per adult £17, NT members excluded. Parking was free today, the guidebook said £4 (?) Café extremely friendly and really good cake.

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.

A National Trust garden. Currently £17 per adult, parking £4. Do what we do and become a temporary member, you save a lot of money if you visit several buildings or gardens and also a lot of parking fees 😉