I feel like Penshurst Place and Gardens isn’t as well known in Kent, probably due to it not being a National Trust or English Heritage site. I loved walking around the gardens specifically which reminded me of the grounds at Hampton Court Palace.
My Photos of Penshurst Place and Gardens
History of Penshurst Place and Gardens
Penshurst Place is a fortified manor house in Kent, built in 1341 for Sir John de Pulteney, a wealthy London merchant and four-time Lord Mayor. Originally designed as a hall house, it became a royal property under Henry VIII, who used it as a hunting lodge while courting Anne Boleyn at nearby Hever Castle.
In 1552, King Edward VI gifted the estate to Sir William Sidney, his steward and tutor. The Sidney family has owned Penshurst ever since, producing notable figures like Sir Philip Sidney, the Elizabethan poet and courtier. Over centuries, the house evolved with Tudor, Jacobean, and Victorian additions, including the Long Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Room, and Baron’s Hall — one of England’s finest medieval halls.
The estate opened to the public in 1946 to fund post-war restoration and remains a living family home. Today, Penshurst Place is celebrated for its literary heritage, royal connections, and Grade I-listed gardens.
10 Interesting Facts About Penshurst Place and Gardens
- The Baron’s Hall dates to 1341 and is one of the oldest surviving medieval halls in England.
- Queen Elizabeth I visited Penshurst multiple times; the Queen Elizabeth Room is named in her honour.
- The Sidney Oak, once thought to be 1,000 years old, was commemorated after its death in 2016.
- Sir Philip Sidney’s sonnets inspired Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations — Estella’s name echoes “Stella.”
- The Pheon symbol from the Sidney coat of arms inspired the burglar’s swag bag icon in Beano comics.
- Penshurst was considered as a filming location for Harry Potter — its creaking floorboards were used for sound effects.
- The estate includes 11 acres of walled gardens, divided into “rooms” by over a mile of yew hedging.
- The Toy Museum features vintage dolls, teddies, and mechanical toys from the Sidney family collection.
- The Porcupine Pantry Café was converted from a milking parlour in 2013.
- Penshurst Place has appeared in Wolf Hall, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Princess Bride, and Elizabeth R.
Things to See and Do at Penshurst Place and Gardens
- Tour the State Rooms
Explore the Queen Elizabeth Room, Tapestry Room, Long Gallery, and Nether Gallery filled with portraits, tapestries, and armour. - Visit the Baron’s Hall
Admire soaring timber beams and medieval architecture in one of England’s grandest halls. - Explore the Gardens
Wander through the Italian Garden, Rose Garden, Nut Garden, and Union Flag Garden — each with seasonal highlights. - Climb the Viewing Mount
Enjoy panoramic views of the estate and garden “rooms” from this raised vantage point. - Discover the Toy Museum
See toys spanning generations, including dolls’ houses, soldiers, and mechanical curiosities. - Walk the Woodland Trail
Follow a family-friendly route through ancient parkland with quizzes and wildlife spotting. - Play in the Adventure Playground
Let children enjoy climbing frames, swings, and a wooden spring horse. - Dine at the Garden Restaurant or Porcupine Pantry
Enjoy hot meals, snacks, and locally sourced produce in two on-site cafés. - Browse the Gift Shop and Plant Centre
Pick up souvenirs, books, and garden plants grown on the estate. - Attend Seasonal Events
Look out for storytelling, craft workshops, garden tours, and historical reenactments.
Practical Information for Visiting Penshurst Place and Gardens
- Location: Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG
- Opening Times (2025):
- House: Daily, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm (5 Apr – 2 Nov)
- Gardens & Grounds: Daily, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Porcupine Pantry & Gift Shop: Open year-round
- Entry Fees:
- House & Gardens: Adults £12.50 / Children (5–15) £6.50
- Gardens only: Adults £10.50 / Children £6.00
- Under 5s: Free (max 2 per adult; £2.50 per child thereafter)
- Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours
(Allow extra time for walks, lunch, or seasonal events) - Tickets: Available online or at the gate; Penshurst Place – Official Site
- Parking: Free on-site
- Accessibility:
- Wheelchair-friendly garden route available
- House ground floor accessible via portable ramps
- DVD tour of upper rooms available
- Dogs:
- Assistance dogs only in house and gardens
- Other dogs welcome in surrounding parkland
- Food & Drink:
- Garden Restaurant and Porcupine Pantry Café
- Toilets: Accessible and baby-changing facilities available
- Transport:
- Train: Penshurst Station (35-min walk)
- Bus: Routes 231 and 233 from Edenbridge Town Station
- Car: Follow brown signs from A21/Hildenborough
- Nearby: Hever Castle, Chiddingstone Castle, Knole Park, Groombridge Place
See my guide for more fun things to do in Kent
Guides on towns in Kent
- Margate
- Folkestone
- Whitstable
- Faversham
- Deal
- Broadstairs
- Dungeness
- Edenbridge
- Best Sandy Beaches in Kent
- Best Coastal Towns In Kent
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