Lying within the ruins of a great castle are the gardens of Sissinghurst, which are considered the quintessence of the English garden. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicholson divided up the garden into intimate ‘rooms’, each one planted with an exuberant riot of colourful flowers.
There are permanent exhibitions covering the history of Sissinghurst and a fine library containing 20th-century literature plus a second-hand bookshop.
The vegetable garden and park are all waiting to be discovered and there is a tower with a magnificent view from the top, although this is strictly for the nimble-footed.
There is a restaurant serving food from the garden or you could enjoy a picnic.
Cost: £30 (lunch not included. Admission for NT members is free; others will pay an £11.85 entrance fee)
PLEASE NOTE EARLY DEPARTURE TIMES…
Coach departure places and times | |
8.45am | Brockham: Middle Street near junction with Oakdene Road |
8.55am | Dorking: outside Dorking Halls |
9.00am | Dorking: opposite Waitrose |
9.05am | Dorking: Horsham Rd bus stop between Harrow Rd East and Tower Hill Rd |