National Trust Properties in Kent: A Guide to Historic Sites and Gardens 2026
Between the giant castles, old manor houses, and famous gardens, there’s no shortage of interesting places to see across Kent. It’s no wonder then that the National Trust, the UK’s largest conservation charity, has protected and preserved many of Kent’s most amazing landmarks. From the White Cliffs of Dover to the beautiful Sissinghurst Castle Garden, the National Trust cares for over 20 properties in Kent.
You could spend the afternoon at Chartwell, where Winston Churchill lived, or head over to Ightham Mote to see a medieval manor that actually still has its moat.
Today, I wanted to share with you my practical guide to the must-see National Trust properties in Kent together with locations, opening times and ticket prices for 2026.
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My favourite National Trust properties in Kent
Over the years, I’ve visited all the National Trust properties in Kent and some, like the Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens, Igtam Mote or Scotney Castle I keep coming back to as there is always something new to see.
I also really like the Emmetts Gardens, especially in the spring, when the daffodils and bluebells are everywhere. The Deep Fan Shelter, which only opened in the last few years, it’s a great little find and definitelly worth visiting if you do the coastal walk from White Cliffs of Dover visitor centre.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Spring (March to May) – Gardens and woodlands come alive with spring flowers, bluebells, blossoming fruit trees, and returning wildlife. You can find lovely gardens at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Emmetts Garden, Ightham Mote and Toys Hill.
Summer (June to August) – Long daylight hours are perfect for exploring large properties and gardens, such as Knole and gardens like Scotney Castle or Sissinghurst. Most site also have an outdoor events and activities for children. You can also do a lot of walks from most of the National Trust properties, such as Ightham Mote, Knole House or follow the coastal walk from the White Cliffs of Dover visitors centre to the Deep Fan Shelter and the South Foreland Lighthouse.
Autumn (September to November) – The gardens are full of autumn colours and Chartwell’s orchard, Scotney Castle and Emmetts Garden look particularly amazing.
Winter (December to February) – Some larger houses, such as Knole House or Scotney Castle have Christmas decor and activities. Winter is also great time to experience the properties without the crowds, but do check the individual opening times as some sites are closed for the winter.
Chartwell
Chartwell was the home of Winston Churchill from 1924 until his death in 1965. The house was built in the 16th century and purchased by Churchill in 1922. The house still has many of Churchill’s possessions and mementos from his long career in politics and writing. There are rooms dedicated to Churchill’s paintings as well as his wife Clementine.
The house has lovely landscaped gardens and lakes that were an integral part of Churchill’s creation of Chartwell. Features include the Golden Rose Avenue, waterfall, and kitchen garden.
In 1946, Churchill gifted Chartwell to the National Trust on the condition he could continue living there. After his death in 1965, the house was opened to the public.
- Location: Chartwell, Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent TN16 1PS
- Opening Times: House – March to October, daily 11am to 5pm (last entry 3:40pm), Gardens & Grounds – Daily – 10am to 5pm or dusk, Restaurant, Shop – 10am to 5pm
- Ticket Prices: Adult – £26,40, Child (5-17) – £13.20, Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) – £66
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle is a grand Victorian country mansion, which is surrounded by nearly 800 acres of beautiful gardens, parkland and woodland. Ther is also a 14th-century moated castle with a romantic turret that peeks out and ruins of an old castle. The main house and gardens were created with the intention of looking over the old castle and surrounding estate.
There is a lovely tea room with locally sourced food and freshly baked scones and cakes. Scotney Castle also has a shop where you buy local produce including honey from the estate’s own bees.
- Location: Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN8 8JN
- Opening Times: Estate & Gardens: Daily 10am – 5pm (or dusk if earlier), House: Saturdays – Sundays 11am – 5pm, Old Castle: Saturdays – Sundays 11am – 5pm
- Ticket Prices: Adult: £15.50, Child (5-17 years): £7.75, Family (2 adults + 3 children): £39
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Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens
Sissinghurst is a historic estate and gardens which were created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson. The gardens are divided into a series of 10 distinct garden “rooms” separated by walls and hedges, each with a different theme and style. Some of the rooms include the White Garden, Rose Garden, Herb Garden, and Cottage Garden.
The gardens surround the remains of an Elizabethan manor house that dates back to the 16th century. Parts of the original structure still stand including the tower, library, and Priest’s House.
- Location: Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB
- Opening Times: Open every day (10-4 pm during winter, 10-6 pm during summer).
- Ticket Prices: Adult – £17.00, Child (5-17 years) – £7.75, Family (2 adults + 3 children) – £39 (winter tickets are about 30% cheaper)
Smallhythe Place
Smallhythe Place is an outstanding example of Tudor architecture and one of Kent’s most beautiful and unusual historic houses. The half-timbered house dates back to the late 15th or early 16th century and has been looked after by the National Trust since 1947.
The house once belonged to the actress Ellen Terry and contains her fascinating collection of private and theatrical items. There is also a traditional cottage garden, a 17th-century thatched Barn Theatre and a vintage tea room where you can also buy second hand books, local jams and preserves as well as fruit and vegetables from the garden.
- Location: Smallhythe, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG
- Opening Times: April to October: Wednesday – Sunday: 11am – 5pm, November to March: Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 4pm
- Ticket Prices: Adult – £12, Child (5-17 years) – £6, Family (2 adults + 3 children) – £35
Ightham Mote
Ightham Mote is a charming medieval moated manor house which is set in acres of stunning gardens and lakes, and has a pretty orchard, bursting with daffodils and bluebells in the spring.
There are also three estate walks, with spectacular views across the Kent countryside. The large tearoom is outside the grounds, so you can visit it even without buying a ticket to the house.
- Location: Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0NT
- Opening Times: Gardens, Cafe, Shop open daily 10- 4 pm (winter), 12 – 6 pm (summer), house closed during winter season (January & February)
- Tickets: Adult – £20.90, Child (5-17 years) – £10.50, Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) – £52.30
Knole House
Knole House & Park is a breath-taking Jacobean country house, set in a 1000-acre park in the district of Sevenoaks in Kent. One of England’s largest houses, it was originally an archbishop’s palace, passing through royal ownership and lastly to the Sackville family in 1603 who remain its current owners.
The house is surrounded by Kent’s last medieval deer park, where you can still easily spot the wild deer that roam across the sweeping parkland. There are three fantastic trails around the grounds of different length and difficulty.
You can explore the courtyards and the beautiful elegant orangery and inside, admire the selection of art including Gainsborough, Reynolds and Van Dyck, as well as wonderful 17th-century tapestries and furniture.
Don’t miss visiting the Gatehouse Tower, which has spectacular views from the roof top.
- Location: Knole House, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP
- Opening Times: House & Tower: Daily: 11pm – 4pm (last entry 3pm), Tearooms, Shop: Daily: 10 am – 5 pm
- Ticket Prices: Adult – £19, Child (5-17 years) – £9,50, Family (2 adults + 3 children) – £47.50 (Tower & Outdoors Tickets also available)
Quebec House
Quebec House is a historic house, which was built in the 16th century as a Tudor house constructed from brick and ragstone. The house was originally known as “Spiers” before being renamed Quebec House in the 19th century.
From 1738-1758, it was the childhood home of General James Wolfe, the British commander who led the capture of Quebec from the French in 1759 during the Seven Years’ War. The house contains exhibits and memorabilia related to Wolfe’s life and military career.
- Location: Quebec Road, Westerham, Kent TN16 1XD
- Opening Times: April to October: Saturday – Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm, November to March: Saturday – Sunday, 11am – 3:30pm
- Ticket Prices: Adult: £9.90, Child: £5, Family (2 adults + up to 3 children): £24.80
Emmetts Garden
Emmetts Garden is a 4.9 acre estate garden laid out from 1893-1895 by banker Frederic Lubbock in an Edwardian style. The gardens include woodland gardens, floral displays, a rock garden, ornamental hedges, and exceptional views over the Weald of Kent.
There are plenty of different types of plants here, including magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, and rare trees like the Handkerchief Tree.
I visit Emmetts Garden few times a year and I particularly like the spring flower display with bluebells and the tree and shrubs colours in autumn. There is a lovely tearoom with a great views and you can follow the walks from the garden into the woodlands.
- Location: Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6BA
- Opening Times: Open Daily 10-4 pm (winter), 10-5 pm (summer)
- Ticket Prices: Adults £18.50, Child (5-17) £8.30, Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) £41.30
St. John’s Jerusalem
St John’s Jerusalem, also known as Sutton-at-Hone Preceptory, is a former commandery established by the Knights Hospitaller order in the 13th century. The main surviving building is the 13th century chapel, which has rare medieval frescoes and a preserved interior.
The moated site covers around 5 acres and includes a 16th century manor house, formal gardens, and a dovecote. St John’s Jerusalem operated as a monastic hospital during medieval times. After the Dissolution it became a private residence.
- Location: Sutton Road, Sutton-at-Hone, Dartford DA4 9HD
- Opening Times: April – September: Wednesday – Sunday 11am – 5pm, October – March: Saturday – Sunday 11am – 4pm
- Ticket Prices: Adult: £5.50, Child: £2.75, Family: £13.70
Other National Trust Properties to Visit in Kent
These are much smaller properties, which are open less frequently than the large properties. Ticket prices are much less than the large properties, usually around £5-10 for adult ticket (with concessions available).
- Stoneacre House & Gardens – Medieval yeoman house and garden (near Maidstone)
- Cobham Wood and Mausoleum (Cobham)
- Owletts (Cobham)
- Old Soar Manor (near Sevenoaks)
- South Foreland Lighthouse (near Dover)
READ MORE:
- History & Visitor’s Guide to South Foreland Lighthouse >>
- Discovering Cobham Village (inc. Owletts house & Cobham Mausoleum) >>
Chiddinstone Village
Chiddingstone village and castle dates back to the early 1500s and is one of the best preserved Tudor villages in England. The village has a small main street lined with Tudor houses with lovely half-timbered frames, leaded windows, and thatched roofs.
Some of the most important buildings in the village include the medieval St Mary’s Church dating from the 14th century, Chiddingstone Castle built in the 1500s, and The Tulip Tree which is considered to be the oldest shop in England dating back to the 1600s.
- Location: Chiddingstone, Edenbridge TN8 7AD,
- Opening Times: all the time, no restrictions
- Ticket Prices: Free entry to the village, but there is a charge to enter the Chiddinstone Castle (not National Trust)
Ancient Sites – Coldrum Long Barrow
Coldrum Long Barrow is a Neolithic burial chamber located near the village of Trottiscliffe. It is one of the Medway Megaliths and among the best surviving examples of a megalithic long barrow in southern England.
- Location: Coldrum Lane, Trottiscliffe, Kent ME19 5EP
- Opening Times: all the time
- Tickets: Free
READ MORE:
National Trust Woodlands & Countryside in Kent
The National Trust also looks after ancient woodlands, parks and countryside, which you can visit for free. Car parks near these woodlands are owned by National Trust and NT members can park for free.
- The White Cliffs of Dover – including visitors centre, shop, cafe and Deep Fan Shelter
- Oldbury Hill
- One Tree Hill
- Petts Wood & Hawkwood
Toys Hill
Toys Hill is an area of woodland and farmland near the village of the same name. It sits on the Greensand Ridge and has the most amazing scenic views across the Weald. The National Trust took over the land at Toys Hill in 1898 and it was one of the earliest properties acquired by the charity. Today the National Trust owns over 530 acres of woodlands and fields at Toys Hill.
The woodlands contain many ancient oak and sweet chestnut trees, some estimated to be over 500 years old. Rare butterfly species like the purple emperor can be spotted here during summer. You can also see the 19th century well sunk by National Trust founder Octavia Hill and the memorial stone marking where her ashes were scattered after her death.
Toys Hill has some amazing walking trails through the woods and meadows, such as the Octavia Hill Centenary Trail. The site has two car parks and a cafe with local food and freshly baked cakes located in the old dairy building.
READ MORE
National Trust Membership Cost 2026
If you’re planning on visiting more than a couple of properties, it’s worth looking into a National Trust membership. It usually pays for itself after just three or four trips.
| Membership Category | Annual Price | Monthly Price |
| Individual (26+) | £96.00 | £8.00 |
| Young Person (18-25) | £48.00 | £4.00 |
| Junior (5-17) | £12.00 | N/A |
| Joint (2 adults at same address) | £160.80 | £13.40 |
| Family (2 adults & up to 10 kids) | £168.60 | £14.05 |
| Family (1 adult & up to 10 kids) | £103.80 | £8.65 |
Note for Seniors: If you’re over 60 and have been a member for at least three of the last five years, you can ask for a 25% senior concession on your renewal. This brings an individual membership down to £72.00 and a joint one to £120.60.
Life Membership
If you want to support the Trust for the long haul and never worry about renewals again, you can buy a lifetime pass.
- Individual Life: £2,320 (Seniors 60+: £1,730)
- Joint Life: £2,890 (Seniors 60+: £2,175)
- Family Life: £3,025 (Covers 2 adults and all children/grandchildren under 18)
What are the perks?
It’s not just about the entry fees. Being a member gets you:
- Free entry to over 500 places across the UK.
- Free parking at most National Trust car parks (which can save you £5–£10 a day in busy spots like the White Cliffs).
- The National Trust Magazine sent to you three times a year.
- The Handbook, which is basically the “bible” for planning UK road trips.
- Reciprocal entry to National Trust sites in Scotland and even some heritage sites abroad (like in Italy or Australia).
This blog post was originally published on 25 January 2024 and last updated on 3 January 2026
