A Blooming Lovely Time at National Trust

© National Trust Image: Chris Jones Emmetts

Kent, often referred to as the “Garden of England,” is bursting into life with spectacular displays of blossom and blooms at National Trust properties across the county. From vibrant daffodils to delicate cherry blossoms, unique tulip varieties and carpets of blubells these gardens offer a feast for the senses and a perfect escape into nature.

Best for Daffodils – March to April

Trip Advisor review extract of Chartwell’s Garden “The gardens had lovely views and in another couple of weeks all the magnolia trees and daffodils will be out and it will be gorgeous. It felt like a very peaceful happy place.”

• Chartwell: The gardens at Chartwell are bursting with bobbing yellow daffodils, including the historic ‘Winston Churchill’ variety, offering a bright start to spring.
• Sissinghurst Castle Garden: Over 10,000 daffodils create a golden wave of spring beauty, blooming throughout March and April in the iconic orchard.
• Emmetts Garden: Emmetts Garden glows with vibrant colour all year round, cheerful carpets of daffodils surround the pathways and garden beds at this time of year. Visitors can enjoy some peaceful tranquillity surrounded by beautiful yellow daffodils swaying gently in the breeze.
• Smallhythe Place: A wonderful display of daffodils scatters the grounds of the orchard by the 55m long pergola – it is no wonder former resident Ellen Terry once called it her “Daffodily Farm”.
• Scotney Castle: By April daffodils will be in full bloom, the meadow has native Narcissus pseudonarcissus whilst the conifer bed hosts Narcissus ‘Thalia’, a beautiful multi-headed, white. In the cut flower beds are many rows of Narcissus ‘Winter Waltz’, N. ‘Warbler’, N. ‘Barrett Browning’ and N. ‘Bell Song’.

Best for Blossom – March to May

Trip Advisor review extract of Sissinghurst Castle Garden “Set in the Kent countryside, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is a gem. Lots of flowers, and the trees breaking into blossom meant that there was a wonderful perfume in the air. We were very lucky with the weather and Sissinghurst is even prettier with a blue sky behind it.”

• Sissinghurst Castle Garden: Apple, pear, and cherry blossoms bring delicate beauty to these infamous gardens. Blossom and magnolia trees unfurl throughout the garden and orchards, a delicate treat for the eyes and a true symbol that spring is here.
• Emmetts Garden: Nearly 50 cherry trees create a breathtaking display of pink and white blooms. Most of the cherry trees at Emmetts Garden are native to Japan with nearly 30 nestled between the Rock Garden and Wildflower Meadow.
• Scotney Castle: Early cherry blossom frames the view to the castle ruins whilst apple, pear, quince, plum and crab apple blossom are abundant in the Walled Garden.
• Chartwell: Cherry blossom graces Chartwell’s gardens from early spring, with Prunus ‘The Bride’ and Prunus ‘Koja-no-mai’ lining paths to the house and adorning the Top Terrace. Chartwell’s orchard always provides an unmissable display between late-April and mid-May, when the pink and white apple blossom bursts into life, framing the house beautifully.
• Ightham Mote: Heritage apple tree blossom is abundant in the orchard, and cherry blossom sweeps across on the eastern terrace of the garden.
• Smallhythe Place: Our orchard has over 30 varieties of apple, pear, plum, and medlar tree blossom.
• Bateman’s: Bateman’s is especially beautiful from mid-April. Edwardian varieties of apple, pear, plum, damson and black mulberry trees a covered with blossom as they were when author Rudyard Kipling lived here.

Best for Bluebells – April to May

Trip Advisor review extract of Ightham Mote’s bluebells “The gardens are lovely, especially at this time of year. As well as the ones around the actual house, there are several marked walks through the woods which wore carpets of bluebells.”

• Ightham Mote: Swathes of bluebells can be found in Scathes Wood, running alongside the driveway. The ancient woodland is home to around 15 acres which become carpeted in the distinctive blue colour of spring.
• Chartwell: Chartwell is famed for it’s formal gardens and parkland but there is also an extensive woodland area and several woodland walking routes where you will be able to see beautiful seas of bluebells.
• Emmetts Garden: The surrounding woodlands burst with native bluebells, creating a sea of blue. As one of our most popular sites for visitors looking for bluebells it does get busy so please ensure you check the website and visit early or late to avoid the crowds.
• Scotney Castle: Enjoy the beautiful ruins of this fourteenth century moated castle and Victorian house, before embarking on an exploration of the surrounding Colliers Wood and Broadham Wood, the perfect place for spotting bluebells.

Best for Rhododendrons and Azaleas – End April to June (weather dependent)

Trip Advisor review extract of Scotney Castle’s Rhododendron displays “The view over towards the castle was an amazing mass of colour as all the camelias and rhododendrons were in full bloom. It really was a sight to behold. We then went down through the gardens to the castle, which is surrounded by water. It is a pleasant stroll around the outside, then over the bridge to view the old castle itself.”

• Scotney Castle: By end April to early May Rhododendrons will be filling the garden with their billowing clouds of soft colours. Among the varieties are Rhododendron ‘Mrs G W Leak’, R. ‘Lord Roberts’ and R. ‘Sapho’. In the Quarry we have a collection of strongly scented Ghent

Azaleas and the beautiful Rhododendron ‘Amoenum’ is an intense magenta forming domes of small flowers by the terrace wall opposite the house.

• Chartwell: Vibrant azaleas and rhododendrons frame the Golden Orfe ponds.
• Emmetts Garden: With over 130 varieties of rhododendron and azaleas, each spring sees a remarkable display of colour when they bloom.

Best for Tulips – End April to May

Trip Advisor review extract of Emmetts Garden tulips “What a profusion of beautiful bluebells on display and the Tulip meadow was stunning . What a wonderful display of colours mixed together in this beautiful area. I think every visitor was stopped in their tracks at this display to take in its beauty and to take photographs . There are plenty of footpaths to follow dependent on how fit and adventurous you are.”

• Emmetts Garden: Discover the spectacular tulip meadow shaded by cherry blossom trees with far-reaching views over the Kentish Weald. The beautiful pink blossom of the Prunus ‘Fugenzo’ comes into flower at the start of May and the cherry trees are underplanted with a carpet of ‘Pink Diamond’, ‘Kingsblood’ and ‘Queen of the Night’ tulips.
• Sissinghurst Castle Garden: The Lime Walk and Nuttery feature vibrant tulips in shades of pink, red, and yellow, adding to the garden’s iconic charm.
• Chartwell: Tulips are used to create beautiful displays in the house at Chartwell. The garden team select pastel shades which were favoured by Lady Churchill. Among the varieties are ‘Apricot Delight’, ‘Snowstar’ and ‘Big Love’.

Discover these beautiful National Trust locations and combine it with a walking or cycling trail such as the Westerham walk: Chartwell, Ightham Walks, Octavia Hill: Emmetts Garden, A Walk Through Time: Sissinghurst and the Wealden Cycle Trail: Scotney Castle.

Thank you to the National Trust for details of spring flower displays at their places in Kent. Visit the National Trust website below to find out more about opening times, admission prices and garden highlights.