Sissinghurst Castle

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. Visiting gardens like Sissinghurst either online or in person can inspire many homeowners to consider new landscaping projects. While this may have been second-nature to the Nicholsons, most of us would need expert help. Like our British check-a-trade organisation (reviews of tradesmen by the public who use them) there's a similar reviews service in the United States specialising in helping property owners in the decision-making process called Home Advisor Reviews. I've been informed by a reader that the best reviewed landscaping companies on Home Advisor Reviews online will have the expertise to create beautiful gardens - you never know, maybe even something approaching the splendour of Sissinghurst Castle Garden! 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.