going local: spring in sissinghurst castle and gardens in kent
I am dreaming of spring: blue skies, sunshine, first flowers of the year. Yesterday we got a glimpse of that when the sky cleared for about 2 hours, but otherwise this winter has been the wettest since 1766 – and England being a rainy country anyway, that certainly is something in a completely different magnitude…
One of the first places to re-visit on my list is Sissinghurst Castle here in Kent – some 45 minutes drive from our house. I remember going there last spring on a lovely and sunny, albeit a bit cold day. The spring flowers were blooming everywhere, the birds were chirping – it was just perfect and the chilliness we felt disappeared after enjoying a lovely cream tea in the tea room afterwards.
Sissinghurst has a coloutful history from being a prison camp to home of women’s land army to private home of famous people. Nowadays it is best known for its gardens created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson. Today it is still a functioning farm with the tower and the library as well as several additional buildings being preserved.
There are both more natural and formal gardens to admire in Sissinghurst. Daffodils and other spring flowers are scattered around and a walk by the water is very relaxing. What I love about English countryside is that despite the trees being bare of the leaves there are always lovely shades of green in the lawns and fields to brighten up the scene!
Sissinghurst is A National Trust property, which means that it offers activities and events for the whole family. This time there was a fun obstacle course for the little ones to enjoy.