Lullingstone Castle & The World Garden
Lullingstone Castle is one of England’s oldest family estates, dating back to the time of Domesday. The World Garden combines plant heritage with cutting-edge horticulture.
Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA
Facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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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
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Shop
- Accessible parking
- Large font signs and leaflets
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible toilets
Set within 120 acres of beautiful Kent Countryside, Lullingstone Castle is one of England’s oldest family estates, dating back to the time of Domesday. The present Manor House and Gatehouse dating from 1497 have been home to the Hart Dyke family ever since. Lullingstone Castle is also home to Tom Hart Dyke’s World Garden of Plants with over 7000 plant species planted in a miniature map of the world.
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
The World Garden is open from Thursday 2nd April until Saturday 31st October 2026. During this period, it welcomes visitors every Thursday through Sunday, including Bank Holiday Mondays, between 11am and 5pm. Please note that last entry to the garden is 4:30pm.
The Manor House has more limited opening. It is open only during Bank Holiday Weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday) and for all Special Events, until 31st October. Hours are 11am – 5pm, with no guided tours available. Standard admission applies on 22nd & 23rd May and 28th August.
Group visits are welcome on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays on a non-guided basis with standard admission.
Special Events & Seasonal Highlights
Easter Egg Quiz (2nd – 6th April 2026): The season opens with this free annual Easter event, running daily from 11am – 5pm.
Bank Holiday World Garden Tours with Tom Hart Dyke (1st – 4th May 2026): Tours run at 1:30pm every day during the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
World Garden Tour with Tom Hart Dyke (24th & 25th May 2026): A replacement event for the Late May Bank Holiday, with tours at 1:30pm.
National Garden Scheme Open Day (21st June 2026): Open 11am – 5pm.
Orchid Meadow: The best time to view the meadow is between May and July.
Plant Hunters Weekend (29th – 31st August 2026): Open 11am – 5pm. Tom Hart Dyke World Garden tours run from 1:30pm – 3:30pm (meet at the front of the main house). Zoolab takes place on Saturday 29th August only, from 2:30pm – 3:30pm, starting inside St Botolph's Church.
Mexican Celebration Weekend – 'Cactus at the Castle' (5th & 6th September 2026): Open 11am – 5pm. Saturday features a Bring and Sell Auction, while Sunday hosts the Haworthia Growers UK Show and Lullingstone Open Show. Tom Hart Dyke World Garden tours run at 12:30pm and 2:30pm on both days (meet at the front of the main house). Dr Adrian Weatherill will give a talk on growing haworthias in the Church on Sunday.
Halloween Magic – Last Day of Season (31st October 2026): The season concludes with extended hours from 11am – 6pm. Tom Hart Dyke garden tours run at 1pm and a dusk tour at 5pm. Zoolab and Wizard Ranger activities take place in the church from 3pm – 4pm. The Manor House is open 11am – 4pm (last entry 3:30pm).
The House and Garden also open for pre-booked guided groups (min 20 people) on Wednesdays by arrangement.
- Accessible parking
- Large font signs and leaflets
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible toilets
Getting here
Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA
By road
MAIN ENTRANCE – Via Lullingstone Lane – *ALL Parking for CARS only*
ALL CARS should go to the Tudor Gatehouse main entrance via Lullingstone Lane through the village of Eynsford. Follow the brown signs to Eagle Heights and Lullingstone Roman Villa (an English Heritage property) along Lullingstone Lane.
Cars and pedestrians (but not coaches) should continue on past Lullingstone Roman Villa (leaving the modern building that now covers the Villa on the right hand side) for 600 metres along the narrow Private Road towards the Gatehouse entrance. Outside the Gatehouse there is free car parking for our visitors ONLY. NB All cars should use the postcode DA4 0JA
COACH ENTRANCE – Via A225 – *ENTRANCE IS ONLY OPEN for GROUP COACH VISITS ONLY*
The entrance to Lullingstone’s coach park is via the (A225) Shoreham Road, less than 10 minutes from the M25 (Junction 3 exit for Swanley – A20 not M20). NB All coaches should use the postcode DA4 0HX to direct them to the A225 entrance.
By train
The nearest train station is Eynsford, and trains take approximately 50 minutes from central London. When you exit the train station turn left, and then when you reach the main road, turn left again and pass under the railway bridge. Do NOT follow signs for Lullingstone Roman Villa or Eynsford.
On the right hand side of the road before you reach the Lullingstone gated entrance (CLOSED apart from group coach visits) take the turning onto the signed Green Public Footpath (opposite the recycling bank in the lay-by). Here you can walk via a rough track that brings you out at the Lullingstone Roman Villa. Turn left heading for Lullingstone’s Private Road leading up to the Gatehouse entrance. From Eynsford station to the Castle takes 10 – 15 minutes.
What3words
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