National Trust Administration Sissinghurst Garden

Designed by Vita Sackville-​West, artful techniques from propagating to pruning are unveiled in a visit to this renowned landscape. Evidently Sissinghurst began as a pig farm then transformed to a manor house with a moat, a magnificent Renaissance home with 37 fireplaces, a prison, a poor house, and in 1932 was purchased by Vita and her husband who created this world-​renowned garden. It was raining the day we visited, yet the views of the countryside from the top of the tower were spectacular. Stepping into Vita’s writing room and listening to audio tapes of her speaking, shed light on the times and her passions. Plants are sold at the shops as are books and garden related ornaments. Sissinghurst is a working farm with pigs, sheep, and cattle and even the hops oast. Since it was November when I visited, I didn’t get to witness the landscape in all its colorful glory, but greatly appreciated the architecture and design of the gardens. Sissinghurst is part of the National Trust and cottages can be rented.
Part of the lure of Sissinghurst is the relationship between Virigina Wolfe and her dear friend Vita.

What’s not to like except the prices! There are no discounts but of course National Trust members get ‘free’ entry. However, it is cheaper if you choose the non-​gift aid price (£10.40 instead of £11.50 but it wasn’t offered to me despite asking about concession prices).
The buildings are fab, the gardens are glorious (even mid August) and the volunteers cheerful, helpful and informative. If you can face the steep climb up (and down) the spiral staircase there is a splendid view of the surrounding estate and countryside from the Tower.
Several staff mentioned that they weren’t busy as there were no coach parties (perhaps due to the Olympic effect) but the car park was ¾ full and any more people could have made it difficult/​irritating to use the facilities.
It is a good day out as there is plenty to see and do. Next time I would take a picnic as many families had (there are picnic tables but in a narrow strip behind the car park so not much in use the day we went).
We ate in the restaurant and the courgette and saffron quiche was perfect with a tasty light fluffy filling and crispy pastry base (always difficult with quiche). However, it had a hot chilli (or perhaps harissa given the Morroccan connection?) layer between the pastry and filling. This wasn’t mentioned in the list of ingredients but should be given that so many people (including my Aunt) simply cannot eat chilli/​spices. We chose to have salad rather than veg bit it was mingy with only ¾ of a pale tomato and 3 slices of cucumber plus a few lettuce leaves. The potatoes were smothered in butter but we weren’t asked if that’s what we wanted. The quiche plus bottle of ginger beer cost £10.50 each.
There are lovely things in the shop but mostly quite expensive e.g. £28.00 for a door stop. There were a few items reduced including some lovely woollen blankets but I don’t need any so settled for a room spray at half price. A waft of honeysuckle for only £3.00 seemed reasonable.

Gartenfreunde und Liebhaber der englischen Literaturgeschichte kommen gleichermaßen auf ihre Kosten (Vita Sackville-​West und Virginia Woolf). Schlosstürme und prächtige Gärten angelegt von Harold Nicolson und Vita Sackville-​West. Am besten natürlich im Sommer zur Blütenpracht. Viel Zeit einplanen um die verschiedenen Gärten zu genießen.
Wer kann reist mit eigenem Auto an. Es wurden (leider) auch Reisebusse aus Deutschland gesichtet, nebst Landsleuten mit berliner Schnack. Deswegen waren wir nicht so weit gefahren. Aber das trübt die Freude und Begeisterung an den Gärten nicht.