Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden, England

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the present house was started in 1497 and has been home to the Hart Dyke family for 20 generations. Henry VIII and Queen Anne were regular visitors to the Manor House. Though its Tudor brick gatehouse,built by Sir John Peche, is one of the oldest in England, what survives of the house is largely of the Queen Anne era. The gatehouse was originally , who became Sheriff of Kent in 1495 and was knighted in 1497.

The surrounding 120-acre park was previously a fenced deer park, with the castle serving as a hunting lodge. The grounds are located on the River Darent and hidden within are Queen Anne's bathhouse and an icehouse dating from the 18th century. It also contains some of the oldest oak trees in Britain, wildflowers, a medieval church as well as a walled garden. This walled garden has recently been converted into the World Garden of Plants by the Castle's current heir, plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke.

To entertain children there is a Plant Hunter Quiz, as well as a House Quiz. There are lots of wacky sculptures to be found in the World garden including Colin the Cobra and the silver tree made from 51km of wire. The cactus house - Hot & Spikey - has some really strange specimens including 'alien eggs' and a plant that actually smells of dog poo. The estate has recently started bee-keeping and plan to create Lullingstone World Garden honey in 2012. Each hive will be home to around 60,000 bees in the Winter, rising to 120,000 in the Summer.

Light refreshments and ice-cream are available at weekends. There is also a gift and souvenir shop. The nursery stocks a wide selection of unusual plants and there is also the Lullingstone World Garden seeds range.

Visitors are welcome to picnic in the grounds.

Opening Times

World Garden:
Fridays (except Good Friday), Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays: 12 noon - 5pm

House:
Only on Bank Holiday Weekends(except Good Friday) at the same times as the World Garden (12 noon - 5pm) and for special events (11am - 5pm)

Please note that last entry to the house is 30 minutes before closing time

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Ticket Prices

Adult £7.00
Child £4.00 (5-15 yrs old)
Senior citizen £6.50
Family £18.00 (2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children)

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Disabled Facilities

Guide dogs allowed.
Wheelchairs available upon request.

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More Information

Telephone: 01322 862114
Email: info@lullingstonecastle.co.uk

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