Penshurst Place & Gardens

Built of local sandstone, the mediaeval house with its magnificent Barons Hall dates from 1341 and is one of the finest examples of 14th century architecture. Later additions have seen Penshurst Place grow into an imposing defended manor house, containing state-rooms filled with a remarkable collection of tapestries, paintings, furniture, porcelain and armour.

Penshurst has been the ancestral home of the Sidney family since 1552 and successive generations have shaped its development. Penshurst's most famous son, Sir Philip Sidney, the chivalrous soldier poet, was a symbol of loyalty and bravery in the Elizabethan era.

The ten acres of garden at Penshurst Place retain the original terraces and walls of the 16th century. The individual garden rooms were created in the 19th century by planting a mile of yew hedge. Designed to be a garden for all seasons, visitors can enjoy a feast of colour and beauty from Spring through to Autumn.

The Toy Museum, which includes the Yootha Rose Collection, creates memories of nurseries in years gone by, with dolls houses and toy soldiers as well as toys from several generations of Sidney children.

Today's children can let off steam in the Venture Playground and Nature Trail or enjoy the many events occurring throughout the season.

Visit the Garden Restaurant and Gift Shop to complete a memorable day at one of Kent's best known houses.

New Exhibition for 2007 - From Daguerreotype to Digital - Photographs from the Sidney Family Photographic Exhibtion. A poignant look into the photo collections of the Sidney family from the past 150 years.

We have a full events programme throughout the season - see our website for details. Includes a visit from Monty Python's Terry Jones, our Glorious Gardens Week with a series of events, including a talk from BBC Plant Nut, Tom Hart Dyke from nearby Lullingstone's World Garden, and lots of family fun during the school holidays.