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Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
Kent
Find fairy tale castles, a treasure house fit for a king, the home of Churchill and a world-renowned garden dedicated to beauty. These are just some of Kent’s highlights along with spectacular coastline, ancient woodlands and rolling downs. Discover what to see and do in the Garden County of England.
Places to visit
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Top places to visit in Kent
Place
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Historic, poetic, iconic: a refuge dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a world-renowned garden.
Place
Scotney Castle
Ruined medieval castle. Victorian mansion house. Rolling parkland. Ancient woodland. Picturesque garden. With romance, drama and nature around every corner, Scotney is truly a castle for all seasons.
Top gardens to visit in Kent
Discover year-round interest in walled gardens, vegetable plots and borders – and one of the most famous gardens in the country.
Spring highlights
Gardens in Kent burst into life in springtime. From sunshine-yellow daffodils at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, to beautiful blossom across the gardens at Chartwell and a sea of tulips at Emmetts Garden. The orchards are soon filled with fruit tree flowers, including heritage varieties in delicate pink and white. Magnolia trees are a particular favourite, lining the paths later in spring at Chartwell and Sissinghurst. Blue skies bring with them beautiful reflections in the lakes at Ightham Mote, whilst Scotney’s Flower Festival spreads spring cheer into the mansion house too. Discover more highlights for the spring season in Kent.
Summer highlights
Kent’s Head Gardeners and gardening experts reveal their summer highlights. From hopelessly romantic old roses at world-famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden, to new exotic planting at Scotney Castle. Plus stunning Wealden views from Chartwell, and a slice of Italy in the rose garden at Emmetts Garden. Pause in Ightham Mote’s Quiet Garden, surrounded by 700 centuries of history. Fast forward to the early twentieth century in the rose garden at nearby Bateman’s, designed by Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling. For boutique beauty, try Smallhythe Place, Quebec House or Lamb House.
Winter highlights
Explore rich evergreens at Emmetts Garden and garden water features at Chartwell and Ightham Mote. Keep your eyes peeled for the pure white of snowdrops as they begin to grow. Our gardens offer peace and tranquillity in the winter months. Wrap up warm and take in their structural beauty.
Autumn highlights
With gardens filled with colour and orchards hanging low with fruit, autumn is a great time for a day out at National Trust places nearby. Catch late flowers in the Purple Border in early autumn at Sissinghurst, and breathe in the intoxicating scent of the Katsura Cercidiphyllum japonicum (toffee apple tree) near the North Lake at Ightham Mote. Dahlias and sunflowers continue to bloom in the early autumn sunshine at Chartwell. Later in the season, spot weird and wonderful mushrooms emerging at Emmetts Garden.
House and collections highlights in Kent
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Restored masterpiece at Knole
A full-length portrait of John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset (1745-1799), gazes imperiously over the showrooms at Knole once more. After expert cleaning and conservation, visit Knole to see the eighteenth century masterpiece by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) in vivid colour and newly restored detail. Watch a short video to hear how expert conservators, including in the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole, transformed the Duke back to glory.
News
See 'incredibly rare' Roman finds at Smallhythe Place
Roman finds have gone on display in the tearoom at Smallhythe. The head of a figurine of the god Mercury - one of less than 10 ever discovered from Roman Britain – was discovered during a dig there last summer. There are also tiles stamped with the mark of the Roman fleet (the Classis Britannica) and an intact pot, all dating from 1st to 3rd centuries AD. The discoveries were 'quite exceptional', says archaeologist Nathalie Cohen. In the main house, discover the story of Victorian actress Ellen Terry. Open Wed to Sun from 28 February.
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Rare Jungle Book illustration at Bateman's
An original illustration from 'The Jungle Book' has gone on display at Bateman’s, family home of the story's author Rudyard Kipling. The large watercolour is one of just four known to have survived from a set of 16 painted for the book by the Detmold twins. See more illustrations of the much-loved tale from around the world in a new display. Plus, browse illustrated story editions and hear a reading of the classic tale in our new cosy reading space.
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Nature art exhibition at Scotney Castle
With a display in the old castle and a trail in the garden, 'Changed Priorities Ahead' showcases the work of nature artist, Nessie Ramm. Nessie paints our native wildflowers with exquisite detail as they thrive undisturbed on roundabouts, slip roads and laybys. Using metal road signs as her canvas, her large-scale art renders visible the wildness and value of these unloved spaces.
What's on for families in Kent
Let little explorers loose in the outdoors. They'll love squelching in mud kitchens, scrambling across natural play areas and running free across open meadows at places like Chartwell, Knole and Sissinghurst Castle Garden.
Family-friendly places in Kent
Find inspiration for your next family day out in Kent, with nature-themed activities ranging from spotting fish to bug hotels.
May half term in Kent
New family trails, a teddy bears' picnic and geology-inspired activities for May half term in Kent
Summer holidays in Kent
Pick up a parkland adventure pack at Knole, clown around at Scotney Castle and try a host of sporty activities across our places as part of the National Trust’s Summer of Play (sponsored by Starling Bank).
Festival of Archaeology in Kent
Join us as we celebrate the UK’s annual Festival of Archaeology from 13th – 28th July 2024. Find lots of events and activities happening in Kent.
Knole
Get up-close to artefacts uncovered at Knole, or join a guided parkland walk revealing its fascinating archaeological history (18, 21, 23 July, £7.50, booking essential). There’s a family day on 22 July. Dress up for archaeologist selfies, test your sorting skills and join archaeology-inspired arts and crafts. Book admission to guarantee entry.
Smallhythe Place
Previous digs have revealed Smallhythe’s story as a medieval shipbuilding site and Roman settlement. Pay a visit to see some of the team’s fascinating finds. There are also drop-in meet and greets with the dig teams and an evening talk with our expert archaeologist, Nathalie Cohen. On 13 & 14 July join us for Smallfest, a family celebration of archaeology with drawing, games and more.
Bodiam Castle
A real-life archaeological dig launches at Bodiam’s Roman Wharf area on 27 July. From ‘behind-the-rope’ and after-hours tours to expert meet-and-greets, there’s loads of ways to get involved with 'Bodiam100'. For more archaeology-themed fun, get hands-on with finds from previous digs on Fridays, 10am to 3pm. There's also medieval-inspired crafts for kids on select dates in August.
Castles and forts in Kent
Place
Scotney Castle
Ruined medieval castle. Victorian mansion house. Rolling parkland. Ancient woodland. Picturesque garden. With romance, drama and nature around every corner, Scotney is truly a castle for all seasons.
Coast in Kent
The Kent coast is home to towering chalk cliffs and grass downland teeming with wildlife. Pack your binoculars and get ready to take in some fantastic views.
Outdoor activities in Kent
Activity
Cycling, riding and running at Toys Hill
With a network of bridleways, there are plenty of ways to explore Toys Hill including horse riding, mountain biking, road cycling and running on a 6km Run England route.
Activity
Walking at Toys Hill
Discover lots of walking routes, points of historical interest and wide-ranging views at one of Octavia Hill’s favourite places. Visit to see the landscape that inspired her.
Places to stay in Kent
2 Bettenham Cottages
Immerse yourself in rolling farmland and peaceful countryside. This cosy cottage is the perfect getaway for friends, family and one well-behaved dog.
Priest's House
Sitting on the edge of Sissinghurst Castle’s gardens, this is the perfect spot for garden lovers.
Oldbury Hill Campsite
A peaceful woodland campsite near National Trust attractions, and an hour from London by train.
Sustainable travel
Whether you're looking to travel by train or bus. Plan your visit using greener travel options.
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Sustainable travel in Kent
There are a number of sustainable travel options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Kent, whether you're looking to travel by train or bus.
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Sustainable travel in Sussex
There are a number of sustainable travel options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Sussex, whether you're looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot.
Upcoming events
Event
Behind the Scenes Tour: Museum Objects
Smallhythe Place, Tenterden, KentThis exclusive out-of-hours tour will lead you through object highlights in the house.
Event
Snapper Snapped: Photos from the Scotney Collection
Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, KentEnjoy a new display in the Friends Room in the mansion house of rare archive photographs from the Scotney collection.
Event
'Changed Priorities Ahead' exhibition (1 June-20 October)
Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, KentTeazels, cowslips, toadflax, vetch ... Discover the wildflower paintings of contemporary landscape artist, Nessie Ramm, displayed both inside the old castle and doors and as a trail in the garden.
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Vita: Discover a story of love and life at Knole
Knole, Sevenoaks, KentDiscover the story of Vita Sackville-West’s life at Knole.
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Sargent’s Palette in Bloom Display
Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, KentJoin us this Spring for our series of displays celebrating renowned artist John Singer Sargent!
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'Dressing Lady Macbeth': An Exhibition (25 May - 3 Nov)
Smallhythe Place, Tenterden, KentRediscover gems of the 1888 Lyceum Theatre production of 'Macbeth' in an intimate exhibition which boasts a sumptuous costume, props and more.
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Radical Relationships: A new display (1 June 2024 - 30 March 2025)
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, KentExplore how Vita, Harold and their inner creative circle did not fit with early 20th century societal norms of gender and sexuality. A new display told through the books in Vita and Harold's collection. Opening Saturday 1 June.
Event
Attic tours
Knole, Sevenoaks, KentHidden above the showrooms lie Knole's attics. Join a behind the scenes tour to explore these spaces and see a different side to Knole.
Explore an area nearby