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.
Regular Opening Times
The World Garden is open every Thursday to Sunday, including Bank Holiday Mondays, from 11am to 5pm. Last entry to the garden is 4:30pm. The season runs from Thursday 2nd April until Saturday 31st October 2026.
Manor House 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 to 5pm with no guided tours. Standard admission applies on specific Bank Holiday weekends: 22nd & 23rd May and 28th August (£12.50 adult, under 16s free).
Group Visits
Non-guided group visits to the House and The World Garden are available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from April to October.
Special Events & Seasonal Highlights
Easter Egg Quiz – Easter Weekend, 2nd to 6th April 2026, 11am to 5pm. This FREE event runs throughout the Easter weekend.
Bank Holiday World Garden Tours with Tom Hart Dyke – Early May Bank Holiday, 1st to 4th May 2026, with tours at 1:30pm daily. A replacement tour also takes place on 24th & 25th May 2026 at 1:30pm.
National Garden Scheme Open Day – 21st June 2026, 11am to 5pm.
Plant Hunters Weekend – August Bank Holiday, 29th to 31st August 2026, 11am to 5pm. Tom Hart Dyke tours run from 1:30pm to 3:30pm each day (meet at the front of the main house). Zoolab takes place on Saturday 29th August only, from 2:30pm to 3:30pm, starting inside St Botolph's Church.
Mexican Celebration Weekend – 'Cactus at the Castle' – 5th & 6th September 2026, 11am to 5pm. Tom Hart Dyke World Garden tours depart at 12:30pm and 2:30pm on both days (meet at the front of the main house). Saturday 5th September features a Bring and Sell Auction, while Sunday 6th September hosts the Haworthia Growers UK Show and Lullingstone Open Show, plus a talk by Dr Adrian Weatherill on growing haworthias in the Church.
Halloween Magic – Last Day of Season – 31st October 2026, 11am to 6pm. Tom Hart Dyke garden tours depart at 1pm and 5pm (dusk tour). Zoolab 'Wizard Ranger' meets in the church between 3pm and 4pm. The ukulele band 'Uke cannot be serious' performs at 4pm for 45 minutes. The Manor House is open 11am to 4pm (last entry 3:30pm).
Seasonal Highlights
The Orchid Meadow is best viewed between May and July.
Picnic access in the grounds is available during all regular opening hours and events.
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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