Godinton House & Gardens
Ancient house of Dutch gables set in an early twentieth-century Blomfield garden, with surviving seventeenth century built features.
Godinton Park, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3BP
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Free parking
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Parkland / open spaces
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Picnic area
The staff at Godinton are always happy to help our visitors, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance and information. If you have any particular needs or questions, please call before you visit – 01233 643854 during working hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Parking – on arrival please follow the signs to the main car park where there are a number of marked parking bays for visitors with disabilities. From here a short, wide gravel track leads to the Ticket Office and accessible toilet.
Wheelchairs – there are none available on site.
Assistance Dogs are welcome with the relevant paperwork, but we regret that no other dogs are permitted.
Toilets – there is an accessible toilet situated with the public toilets near the ticket office and car park. Please note there are no toilets in the house.
Gardens – from the ticket office gravel paths lead around the garden, with grass paths through the wild garden avoiding steps to the lower level. The gardens are accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and there are a number of benches in various locations throughout the gardens.
House & Tearoom – the ground floor rooms and Tearoom are accessible for wheelchair users and mobility scooters with wide doorways and level thresholds. There is one step on the ground floor with no handrail due to the historic nature of the building. Staff will provide a ramp for use as necessary. A wide staircase with shallow steps and a handrail accesses the first-floor showrooms; regrettably, these rooms are inaccessible for wheelchair users. A virtual tour tablet of the first-floor showrooms is available.
Seating is available in each room if needed.
Godinton House, a charming 14th-century estate nestled in Kent, England, offers a unique and immersive experience. Unlike many grand houses, Godinton prioritises a comfortable and informal atmosphere, allowing visitors to truly imagine what life would have been like in its historic walls. Guided tours delve into the house’s 600-year history, showcasing its impressive collection of furniture, art, and unique curiosities.
Beyond the house lies a haven of beautifully restored gardens, featuring a renowned yew hedge, wild and Italian gardens brimming with seasonal colour, and all meticulously maintained following the original designs. Whether you’re interested in history, stunning landscapes, or simply a relaxing afternoon with delicious refreshments, Godinton House offers something for everyone.
Assistance Dogs are welcome with the relevant paperwork, but we regret that no other dogs are permitted.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Opening Times
Gardens Open Season
The gardens at Godinton House are open from Tuesday 17th March 2026 to Sunday 18th October 2026. During this period, the gardens are open Tuesdays to Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 12:30pm to 5:30pm. Please note that last entry is at 4:30pm.
House Guided Tours
Guided tours of the house are available from Friday 3rd April 2026 to Saturday 26th September 2026, operating on Fridays and Saturdays only. Tours run at regular intervals throughout the afternoon:
- 1:00pm
- 1:30pm
- 2:00pm
- 2:30pm
- 3:00pm
- 3:30pm
Special Events
Godinton House & Gardens hosts special events throughout the open season. These include:
- National Garden Scheme Open Days – Saturday 18th April 2026 and Saturday 30th May 2026 (standard garden hours apply)
- Sculpture in the Gardens – an annual event during the open season
For details of other events taking place during the season, please contact the property directly.
Historic Houses members visit free on normal open days. Book online and select a free Historic Houses member ticket. Enter the number of visitors, date and time of the visit, and the Historic Houses membership number(s). Cards must be presented on arrival. Please note Historic Houses membership does not permit free entry on some event days.
House prices
Adults £17.50, Children (11-16), £2.50, Children (under 11) Free
Garden prices
Adults £11, Children (11-16), £2.50, Children (under 11) Free
Book an exclusive group visit to Godinton on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. For visits to the house, we will try to place you on Wednesday or Thursday. Garden tours are available on all three days.
All tours of the house are guided by our very enthusiastic and informative guides, a tour takes approximately one hour.
The minimum group size is 14 and currently, the maximum group size is 42.
We only accept one group booking to the house each day giving complete flexibility and plenty of time to enjoy the house and gardens.
Garden-only groups and painting groups in the garden are welcome.
Guided tours of the garden can be booked at an extra cost of £5.00 per person (minimum charge £30).
The group organiser and coach driver have free entry. All groups must book in advance.
Set in a 900 acre estate of farmland and woodland, Godinton House and Gardens provides the chance to discover, explore and learn in an inspiring and safe environment.
We offer a broad range of learning activities for schools and other community groups all year round, with opportunities to explore the house, gardens and wider estate. These include one-off whole day visits and Enrichment Programmes, which are regular blocks of sessions for smaller groups. As part of our charitable aims, we are able to offer fully subsidised visits to local groups, including transport costs, in most cases.
For more information about educational visits, please contact Helen or Jude on 01233 643854 or email [email protected]
The staff at Godinton are always happy to help our visitors, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance and information. If you have any particular needs or questions, please call before you visit – 01233 643854 during working hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Parking – on arrival please follow the signs to the main car park where there are a number of marked parking bays for visitors with disabilities. From here a short, wide gravel track leads to the Ticket Office and accessible toilet.
Wheelchairs – there are none available on site.
Assistance Dogs are welcome with the relevant paperwork, but we regret that no other dogs are permitted.
Toilets – there is an accessible toilet situated with the public toilets near the ticket office and car park. Please note there are no toilets in the house.
Gardens – from the ticket office gravel paths lead around the garden, with grass paths through the wild garden avoiding steps to the lower level. The gardens are accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and there are a number of benches in various locations throughout the gardens.
House & Tearoom – the ground floor rooms and Tearoom are accessible for wheelchair users and mobility scooters with wide doorways and level thresholds. There is one step on the ground floor with no handrail due to the historic nature of the building. Staff will provide a ramp for use as necessary. A wide staircase with shallow steps and a handrail accesses the first-floor showrooms; regrettably, these rooms are inaccessible for wheelchair users. A virtual tour tablet of the first-floor showrooms is available.
Seating is available in each room if needed.
Getting here
Godinton Park, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3BP
Getting to Godinton House:
By car: Drive to Junction 9 off the M20 and follow signs for Lenham/Maidstone, A20.
Look for a signpost for Godinton House about a quarter mile after the second roundabout, on your left (opposite the Hare & Hounds pub).
By taxi: A 10-minute ride from Ashford International Railway Station.
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage for just £71 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
