Excursion Sissinghurst castle & gardens tour at Dover

Cruise line: Silversea
Difficulty:

Departing from Dover by comfortable motor-coach, enjoy the scenic journey through Kent which has earned the name of "The Garden of England" for its outstanding natural beauty. Arrive at Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, nestled in the Weald of Kent. These gardens are some of the most celebrated in all of England.

Today experience the evolving history of the gardens and the remains of the castle, a truly tranquil place which has seen many different periods of history. Enjoy the well-presented exhibition, which tells of the castle's involvement during the past from the Napoleonic wars, right through to the popular hop-picking era.

The property has been owned and maintained by the National Trust since 1967. The garden was lovingly created by Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicholson in the 1930's. The castle itself was developed around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion with a central red-brick prospect tower that still survives today. The rooms inside these impressive turrets are intimate and romantic in atmosphere, and provide enchanting libraries and include the study, where Vita Sackville-West worked on her famous books.

You can wander through many different-themed gardens at a leisurely pace, while inquiring about the many unusual plants and flowers that are growing in such a glorious setting. The garden is in fact a series of some ten separate gardens, all delightfully different. Spectacular walls and hedges separate the gardens, giving you the impression of peace and seclusion. On a sunny day, there is almost nowhere better to be.

At the end of your visit return to Dover and back to your ship.

Please note: There is a lot of walking to cover the entire garden (2 hours), but this is not necessary and is at the guest's discretion. The castle building is not wheelchair-accessible, with 1 step to enter the library and 70 steps in the tower. It is requested that guests requiring assistance are requested to attend with a companion to assist as the guide will be unable to take responsibility for their needs during the tour. Waterproof outerwear and comfortable footwear are recommended.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, ten separate themed gardens

Note

There is a lot of walking to cover the entire garden (2 hours), but this is not necessary and is at the guest's discretion. The castle building is not wheelchair-accessible, with 1 step to enter the library and 70 steps in the tower. It is requested that guests requiring assistance are requested to attend with a companion to assist as the guide will be unable to take responsibility for their needs during the tour. Waterproof outerwear and comfortable footwear are recommended.