Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

A description & brief history of Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Sissinghurst Garden is in the Weald of Kent, near Cranbrook, Goudhurst and Tenterden. It is close to landscape designated of outstanding natural beauty. The property is owned and maintained by the National Trust. The garden was created by Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicolson in the 1930's. At this time, the site was very run down.

The site is ancient - its name is Saxon - meaning 'clearing in the woods'. A stone manor surrounded by a moat was built in the Middle Ages. Two legs of the moat survive - a third leg originally ran where the 'Moat Walk' lawn is now. 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 Knowle. It was let to the Government between 1756 and 1763 as a prison camp for French prisoners-of-war. The prisoners were badly treated - as was the site generally, and much was demolished.

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 entrance fee was a shilling (£0.05). Visitors were nicknamed the 'shillingses' however the term was not derogatory. Vita wrote in the New Statesman in 1939;

"These mild gentlemen and women who invade one's garden after putting their silver token into the bowl ... are some of the people I most gladly welcome and salute. Between them and myself a particular form of courtesy survives, a gardener's courtesy, in a world where courtesy is giving place to rougher things"

The garden is in fact a series of some ten separate gardens, all delightfully different. Walls and hedges separate the gardens, giving the visitor the impression of peace and seclusion. On a sunny day there is almost nowhere better to be.

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.

For a more detailed history see Kirk Johnson's fascinating articles
Part 1	Part 2	Part 3	Part 4
Part 5	Part 6	Part 7	Part 8
Part 9	Part 10	Part 11	Part 12
Part 13	Part 14	Part 15	Part 16
Part 17	Part 18	Part 19	-

Booklist: click on book title to get more details from Amazon books

Here are some books which may be of interest. As well as books about the garden I have included a couple by Vita Sackville-West, who, together with her husband, designed the garden. Many can be purchased from the shop at Sissinghurst. Click the book title to get a review and availability from Amazon, the on-line book sellers.

	Portrait of a Garden Sissinghurst - portrait of a garden, by Jane Brown and others. Recommended.		Gardening at Sissinghurst Tony Lord's photographic tour of the garden.
	In your garden Gardening with Vita Sackville-West. Very popular.		In your garden again More gardening with Vita Sackville-West. Contains articles and practical advice on cultivation for the whole year
	No Signposts in the Sea Vita Sackville-West's haunting, elegiac tale about the secret love of a man destined shortly to die. It was her last novel written in the year she died.		All Passion Spent By Vita Sackville-West.
	Vita and Harold A selection of letters between Vita and Harold chronicling their intimate and turbulent relationship - edited by Nigel Nicolson.		The Edwardians By Vita Sackville-West with an introduction by Victoria Glendinning.
	In your garden A set of audio cassettes based on Vita's best selling book, narrated by Janet McTeer.		Some People By Harold Nicolson - introduction by Nigel Nicolson.
	English Country Houses By Vita Sackville-West		The letters of Vita Sackville-West to Virginia Woolf This book is occasionally out of print. If this is the case, it may be worth noting the page and re-trying a month or so later.