Photo: Lullingstone Castle by Jim Osley, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
Lullingstone Castle stands in the village of Lullingstone, near Eynsford in Kent, on an estate recorded at the time of Domesday.
The Gatehouse dates from 1497, while the present Manor House was built between 1543 and 1580.
The Hart Dyke family has occupied the property for twenty generations since acquiring it in 1543.
Its grounds hold The World Garden, a planting scheme laid out to the shape of a world map, created in 2005 by Tom Hart Dyke.
The castle is open to visitors during the season.
Read more on WikipediaHistory
The estate dates back to the Domesday survey, making it one of the oldest continuously held family properties in England. The Gatehouse was built in 1497 by Sir John Peche. The present Manor House was constructed between 1543 and 1580 by Sir Percyvall Hart, who married into the family and established the Hart Dyke line of ownership. The Hart Dyke family has occupied the property for twenty generations since 1543.
Architecture
The Gatehouse dates from 1497 and ranks among the earliest brick gatehouses in England. The present Manor House was built between 1543 and 1580.
Worth knowing
The World Garden was created in 2005 by Tom Hart Dyke, the current owner. Hart Dyke conceived the idea following his experiences during a plant-hunting expedition to Colombia in 2000, when he was held captive by armed guerrillas.
Gardens & grounds
The World Garden arranges plants from across the globe according to their continent of origin, laid out to follow the outline of a world map.
Facilities
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Eynsford Rail Station (0.5 miles)
Open April to October; check official website for specific dates and times.
Nearby properties
Lullingstone Roman Villa
View Lullingstone Roman Villa on heritage mapEynsford Castle
View Eynsford Castle on heritage mapSt John's Jerusalem
View St John's Jerusalem on heritage mapKnole House
View Knole House on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Lullingstone Castle there are 4 historic properties, including 2 historic buildings, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of Lullingstone Castle there are 16 historic properties, including 9 historic buildings and 3 historic houses, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Within 20 miles of Lullingstone Castle there are 73 historic properties, including 33 historic buildings, 16 historic houses and 8 churchs, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Facts
A Domesday-era estate held by one family for twenty generations, with a distinctive garden mapped to the shape of the world.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Kent, England
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