Penshurst Place
One of the best examples of a fortified medieval manor house in England.
Penshurst, Tonbridge, TN11 8DG
Facilities
-
Accessible loos
-
Accessible parking
-
Bike storage facilities
-
Cafe / restaurant
-
Easily accessible without car
-
Facilities for children
-
Free parking
-
Parkland / open spaces
-
Picnic area
-
Shop
- Accessible toilets
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible parking
- Guide dogs welcome
Penshurst Place has been home to the Sidney family since 1552 making it one of the oldest family-owned estates in England.
Surrounded by 11 acres of walled formal gardens and housing one of the few surviving medieval Baronial Halls in England, Penshurst Place is an historical gem in the Weald of Kent countryside. The stately home and gardens were once used as a hunting lodge for King Henry VIII, and now feature beautiful staterooms and grounds that are frequently showcased in popular TV and film productions.
Among the staterooms visitors to this historic family home will find The Solar, Queen Elizabeth Room and Long Gallery, which contain a collection of family portraits from across the centuries, antique furniture and skilfully crafted tapestries. Outside, visitors can enjoy a stroll through the 11 acres of formal walled Gardens, discovering hidden corners brimming with fruit trees, an abundance of tulips, roses, colourful borders and water features.
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
General Season
Penshurst Place opens for the season from mid-February, with weekend opening initially, then daily opening from April through to Sunday 1st November 2026. The property is closed to general visitors from November to mid-February, except for group tours.
Daily Opening Hours (During Season)
- House (State Rooms): 11.30am – 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm)
- Toy Museum: 11.30am – 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm)
- Gardens & Grounds: 10.00am – 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm)
- Adventure Playground & Woodland Trail: 10.00am – 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Year-Round Facilities
The Gift Shop, Pantry, and Parkland remain open throughout the year.
Special Events & Tours
Around Penshurst in 9 Days | Spring Holiday Garden Trail
Running from 23rd May 2026 for nine days, this special garden trail offers:
- Garden Trail: 10.00am – 5.00pm
- Crafts: 11.00am – 3.30pm
Winter Group Tours – 'Behind the Scenes'
Exclusive group tours are available from November to January, when the property is otherwise closed to general visitors. These tours offer a behind-the-scenes experience during the winter months.
Free entry for Historic Houses members.
House, Gardens and Grounds:
Adult: £16.00
Child (age 5-15): £9.00
(Under 5s free, max 2 children per paying adult; charged at £2.50 per child, per visit thereafter)
Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Children) £45.00
Family Ticket (1 Adult + 3 Children) £40.00
Family Ticket (2 Adults + 1 child) £37.50
Gardens and Grounds Only:
Adult: £14.00
Child (age 5-15): £8.50
(Under 5s free, max 2 children per paying adult; charged at £2.50 per child, per visit thereafter)
Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Children) £42.00
Family Ticket ( 1 Adult + 3 Children) £36.50
Family Ticket (2 Adults + 1 Child) £33.50
Individual and family season tickets available also to purchase
- Accessible toilets
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible parking
- Guide dogs welcome
Getting here
Penshurst, Tonbridge, TN11 8DG
Located on the Kent and East Sussex Borders, 11 miles south of the M25.
Public transport
Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells Station, then a taxi. Please note Penshurst Station is located 2 miles outside of Penshurst Village with no pedestrian pathway along the route. Bus number 233 or 231 also passes through the village.
Cycle route
Susutrans Cycle Path between Tonbridge Castle and Penshurst Place: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/tudor-trail/
I hope you will find pleasure in visiting the 14th century Manor House and its Gardens of Penshurst Place. For more than 20 years, my wife Isobel and I have continued to care for the House, Garden and its contents, assisted by a small team of dedicated staff.
Why our members love visiting Penshurst Place
Discover more about Penshurst Place
Built as a garden of fantastic appearance, in the 1560’s Viscount De L’Isle’s ancestor Sir Henry Sidney took the first steps in combining beauty with function, installing a system of walls and terraces to protect fruit trees and vegetable patches...
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from 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.