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. 2025 is a special year as we celebrate our 20th anniversary of The World Garden, created by Tom Hart Dyke in 2005 in the grounds of Lullingstone.
Historic House Members will be welcomed free of charge throughout our Open Season including events during normal opening hours.
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 the regular season, it welcomes visitors every Thursday through Sunday, as well as on 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 30th/31st October. Hours are 11am–5pm. Please note the Easter exceptions: the Manor House is closed on Good Friday, open on Easter Saturday, opens at 1pm on Easter Sunday, and is open on Easter Monday.
Special Events & Experiences
Easter Egg Quiz — 2nd–6th April 2026, 11am–5pm. This free event is included with standard admission.
Bank Holiday World Garden Tour with Tom Hart Dyke — Early May Bank Holiday (1st–4th May 2026), 1:30pm daily.
National Garden Scheme Charitable Event — 21st June 2026, 11am–5pm.
Plant Hunters Weekend — August Bank Holiday (29th–31st August 2026), 11am–5pm. World Garden tours with Tom Hart Dyke run from 1:30pm–3:30pm (meet at the front of the main house at 1:30pm).
Mexican Celebration Weekend: Cactus at the Castle — 5th & 6th September 2026, 11am–5pm. Tom Hart Dyke World Garden tours depart at 12:30pm and 2:30pm (meet at the front of the main house).
Halloween Magic — 31st October 2026 (last day of season), 11am–6pm. Garden tours with Tom run at 1pm and a special dusk tour at 5pm. The Manor House is open 11am–4pm (last entry 3:30pm).
Group & School Visits
Guided Group & School Visits covering St Botolph's Church, the House, and The World Garden are available on Wednesdays only, with morning and afternoon slots available throughout April–October.
Guided Group Visits to The World Garden Only can be pre-booked for Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with morning and afternoon slots available April–October.
School Visits to The World Garden Only are available on Thursdays and Fridays, with morning and afternoon slots available April–October.
Non-Guided Group Visits (standard admission rates) are welcome on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, April–October.
Additional Information
Picnics in the Grounds are available during all normal opening hours throughout the season (Thursday–Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am–5pm, 2nd April–31st October 2026).
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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