Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0Gardens to visit in Kent this autumn and winter
The Garden of England does not shut up shop when the dahlias go over. Bedgebury's National Pinetum is in full autumn colour, Emmetts drops its prices for winter, and Sissinghurst's wider estate is worth walking even when the garden rooms are quiet.
A few gardens close for the winter, so this is the moment to go. Great Comp shuts after 31 October, and others in the county, including Belmont and Doddington Place, have already closed until spring.
From late November the light trails arrive and turn familiar gardens into something quite different after dark. Book those early, as timed slots go quickly.
Catch them before they close
Two gardens with only days or weeks left this season.
Image: Great Comp GardenGreat Comp Garden
Great Comp is a seven-acre garden near Sevenoaks packed with rare and unusual plants that keep the borders interesting from spring to autumn. Paths wind past an Italian Garden, mock ruins and woodland walks, and the Old Dairy Tearooms and Dyson's Salvias nursery are on site. The season ends on 31 October, so autumn colour is the last chance this year.
Why it's here: Seven acres of rare plants, an Italian Garden and mock ruins, with the season ending on 31 October. A National Garden Scheme open day falls on Sunday 25 October 2026.
Image: Riverhill Himalayan GardensRiverhill Himalayan Gardens
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens is a historic hillside garden on the southern edge of Sevenoaks, open seasonally from spring to autumn. Explore the gardens, browse the plant and gift shop and stop at the Malabar Coffee House on site. A relaxed two to three hours suits garden lovers and families.
Why it's here: A historic hillside garden on the southern edge of Sevenoaks, open Wednesday to Sunday until early November, with the Malabar Coffee House on site.
Open through the colder months
Gardens and estates that keep going after October. Winter hours often change, so check before travelling.
Image: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestBedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury is Forestry England's National Pinetum, a world-leading collection of over 12,000 specimen trees set among the lakes and valleys of the High Weald near Goudhurst. Wander the pinetum on foot, cycle or mountain bike the forest trails, or let children tackle the play trail. With a cafe at the visitor centre, it can easily fill a day.
Why it's here: Over 12,000 specimen trees among lakes and valleys, open daily from 8am except Christmas Day and closing at 5pm in winter.
Image: Sissinghurst Castle GardenSissinghurst Castle Garden
Sissinghurst is the celebrated garden created by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson near Cranbrook. Explore its series of garden rooms, including the White Garden and Rose Garden, climb the 16th-century tower to Vita's writing room, then walk out across the 450-acre estate and farm. Garden lovers should allow at least half a day.
Why it's here: Vita Sackville-West's garden rooms, her tower writing room and a 450-acre estate and farm. Winter opening times apply from 26 October.
Image: Emmetts GardenEmmetts Garden
Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian hillside garden at Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks, planted with rare trees and shrubs. Wander the rock garden, rose garden and woodland, which offer something to see through the year, then stop at the Old Stables Tea Room. Allow two to three hours.
Why it's here: Rare trees and shrubs on a hillside at Ide Hill, with adult admission dropping to £11 from November to February and parking included.
Image: Scotney CastleScotney Castle
Scotney Castle pairs a romantic 14th-century moated castle ruin with a later mansion house on the hill above it, on a National Trust estate near Lamberhurst. Explore the house and the terraced garden that drops down to the old castle, then head out across 780 acres of parkland and Wealden woodland. Allow half a day, or longer with an estate walk.
Why it's here: A terraced garden that drops down to a moated castle ruin, with 780 acres of parkland beyond. Times are seasonal, so check ahead.
Image: ChartwellChartwell
Chartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill, on a hillside near Westerham. Walk through rooms of the family house, see the largest collection of Churchill's paintings in his studio, and explore the rose garden, walled garden and woodland that inspired him. Allow half a day, and book a timed ticket for the house.
Why it's here: The rose garden, walled garden and woodland that inspired Churchill, with the garden open 10am to 5pm and seasonal changes posted online.
Image: Ightham MoteIghtham Mote
Ightham Mote is a moated medieval manor house tucked into the countryside near Sevenoaks, with 700 years of history under one roof. Explore rooms from different eras, wander the 14-acre garden, then stretch your legs on more than 500 acres of estate walking trails. Booking is not required, making it an easy half-day trip.
Why it's here: A 14-acre garden around a moated manor, with the wider estate open dawn to dusk. Winter opening differs, so check first.
Image: Brogdale CollectionsBrogdale Collections
Brogdale Collections near Faversham is home to the National Fruit Collection, which it describes as the world's largest fruit collection. Walk the heritage orchards on your own or join a guided tour, then pick up apples and pears from the Tiddly Pomme shop or stop at the Courtyard Cafe. On many Sundays the Faversham Miniature Railway runs too.
Why it's here: Self-guided walks through the National Fruit Collection's heritage orchards, Tuesday to Sunday, with under-16s free. The shop closes from November to February.
Gardens after dark
Christmas light trails and festive displays through the gardens on winter evenings.
Image: Forestry EnglandChristmas at Bedgebury
An evening light trail beneath the giant conifers of the national pinetum, reworked for 2026 with new installations. Look out for the Christmas Cathedral, a new Laser Garden and the tall trees lit against the night sky, plus a possible glimpse of Father Christmas. Food stalls sell hot drinks and treats, and you can toast marshmallows over fire pits.
Why it's here: A light trail beneath the pinetum's giant conifers on selected evenings from 20 November, with a new Laser Garden and fire pits. Parking must be booked with your tickets.
Image: National TrustA Fairytale Christmas at Scotney Castle
The Victorian mansion at Scotney is decorated with scenes inspired by favourite fairytales, and a gingerbread trail runs outdoors for children. On selected late nights the gardens are lit with twinkling illuminations. Scotney is just outside Lamberhurst, so it combines easily with other festive outings in the area.
Why it's here: Fairytale scenes in the mansion, a gingerbread trail outdoors and twinkling illuminations in the gardens on selected late nights. Normal admission applies.
Image: National TrustChurchill's Colourful Christmas at Chartwell
Winston Churchill's family home is decorated with a theme inspired by his love of painting, with colourful trees, lights and displays through the rooms. Children can follow a festive trail based on Rob Biddulph's picture book I Follow the Fox. Live carols are performed in the garden on selected weekends.
Why it's here: Colourful trees and lights inspired by Churchill's love of painting, plus live carols in the garden on selected weekends, from 27 November.
Image: Leeds CastleChristmas Lights at Leeds Castle
An after-dark illuminated trail through the grounds of Leeds Castle, set to Christmas music. Returning favourites include the Christmas Cathedral and Fire Garden, alongside a Laser Garden and a water fountain show. Father Christmas may appear along the way, and hot food and drinks are sold on site.
Why it's here: An illuminated trail with the Christmas Cathedral and Fire Garden on selected evenings from 20 November. It is ticketed separately from castle admission.
Questions people ask
Which Kent gardens are open in winter?
Bedgebury National Pinetum opens daily except Christmas Day, Emmetts Garden has winter pricing from November to February, and Sissinghurst runs winter opening times from 26 October. Check seasonal hours before you go.
When does Great Comp Garden close for winter?
Great Comp is open daily until 31 October, then closes from 1 November to the end of February.
Are there Christmas light trails in Kent gardens?
Yes. Bedgebury and Leeds Castle both have evening light trails from 20 November 2026, and Scotney Castle has late-night illuminations on selected evenings.