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Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Pashley Manor Gardens

Posted by (Atlanta) on

I will be staying in Canterbury the weekend before a RS South England tour and want to see Sissinghurst Castle Gardens. Also, I’ve read an article in Guardian that Pashley Manor Gardens are lovely and are hosting a tulip festival when I’m there in April.
1. My question is: the National Trust Sissinghurst website doesn’t allow me to buy a ticket for one visit. I sent them an email asking if they sell tickets in advance. Do you show up at the entrance and buy tickets on the day of your visit?

2. I hope my hotel will help me find my way there with bus, taxi or private car. It’s a nice hotel so I feel confident about this.
3. Do you think Pashley Manor Gardens is worth a visit? What I mean is I probably will spend lots of time at Sissinghurst so I might have less time at Pashley. It looks smaller for sure but the cafe looks inviting. Maybe I could go there on the next day.

Anyone who has been to either or both please weigh in with tips on best ways to reach either place, whether I need to buy tickets in advance (Sissinghurst- maybe I’m too far ahead of March).
Thanks, I want to experience the garden area in this part of England!

Posted by
384 posts

Judy B.,

I have visited Sissinghurst twice. It is so much worth making an effort to see it!

Tickets: Sissinghurst is owned/operated by The National Trust. I am a member of Royal Oak, the US branch of the National Trust, so I just showed my membership card to enter. However, I have visited many National Trust homes/gardens and am familiar with how entrance/ticketing works. I just looked on The National Trust's website and entered" Sissinghurst." I do not see that there are timed tickets at Sissinghurst. That means you pay at the gate and cannot make an advance reservation. I recommend that you confirm this via an email to Sissinghurst.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/sissinghurst-castle-garden

Timing: I strongly recommend that you arrive at Sissinghurst maybe 10 minutes before it opens so that you can be nearly first in the gate. It will make a huge difference to be there before the crowds arrive (both individuals and tour buses).

Transportation: I arrived by rental car. I recommend that you contact your hotel in advance to ask if they can arrange a taxi, etc. It's out in the country so I doubt it's easily reached via bus.

I have not visited the garden at Pashley Manor so can't comment on it.

Posted by
5700 posts

For Sissinghurst the nearest railway station is Staplehurst- from Canterbury West train to Ashford International, then a London bound train to Staplehurst. There is a bus (arriva service 5) from there to Staplehurst but that only takes you to the village- it is still a good walk from their to the gardens, so best to pre-order a taxi from Staplehurst.
The bus has started it's journey from Maidstone, so you would have to get another train or bus from Maidstone- it just gets complicated.
For Pashley Manor there is no bus gets anywhere near. By train it is Canterbury West to Tonbridge, then a Hastings bound train to Etchingham or Wadhurst, then a pre booked taxi. The train journey is about 90 minutes in either direction.
You can't sensibly do both by public transport in the same day, even with taxi assistance.
It is about 29 miles from Canterbury to Sissinghurst and 38 to Pashley Manor.
So it might actually be worth while renting a car rather than using taxis and trains as the taxis would have to be pre-ordered, being in the middle of the countryside.

Posted by
2468 posts

Elizabeth,
Thanks for your input. I emailed the National Trust about advance tickets and they replied saying tickets are not available for advance purchase. You buy your ticket at the entrance on the day of your visit. I will contact my hotel and ask them to reserve a private car for me as I believe public transport is doable but not direct which I would prefer.

Isn31c,
Thanks for your detailed response, getting to Pashley Manor Gardens was, as I thought, complicated! It sounds like a lovely place but Sissinghurst is my 'must see' so I will put my efforts into visiting it. A private car seems like a good solution and I will ask my hotel about a reservation.

Do you think it would be better from the crowd aspect to visit first thing Monday morning? That is, instead of Sunday?

Anything else I need to know?

Thanks so much!

Posted by
384 posts

Judy B.,

I'm glad you've decided to arrange for a private car.

I would think it would be less crowded on a Monday than Sunday. The key is to beat the tourist buses.

Have a fabulous time! I think you will be glad you made such an effort to see Sissinghurst.

Posted by
5700 posts

Unless the Monday is the Bank Holiday Monday, 10 April, in which case it could be equally crowded. On a Sunday your hand would have been forced anyway as there is no Sunday bus from Staplehurst and you'd have to check for rail engineering work. All in all the car is the best option.

Posted by
2468 posts

Thanks everyone for your comments, they are very helpful. This is a good example of how well this forum works! I know I will love my time in England and Sissinghurst.
Keep on travelin’!

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