Long Barn Gardens

Long Barn rarely opens to the public and we are delighted that the Lemonius family are supporting Perennial by opening their garden for us.

We welcome you to a glorious private estate nestled in the spectacular Kent countryside and thought to date from the mid-14th century. This picturesque garden was created by diplomat Harold Nicolson and his wife, the writer Vita Sackville-West, and begun in 1915. This was the trial ground for ideas and developments that shaped the classic English garden style. The results make for a wonderful visit.

The mainly southern facing gardens are dressed with parallel ragstone walled terraces, York paving, brick paths and box-edged gardens. There are grassed areas on different levels, secret gardens, box parterres, small formal ponds, hornbeam avenues, rose arbours, a classical grove and on the edge of the main lawn a series of stately Irish yews giving form and formality to this area.

Fastigiate oaks make a handsome avenue of trees leading down to the lower pond. From the highest levels of the garden there are far-reaching views over the adjoining fields and the Weald beyond. We will discover wild orchids in the orchard. Down at the lower level of the garden and adjoining the kitchen garden, Sir Edwin Lutyens, a friend of Vita’s mother, is thought to have had a hand in the design of the Dutch garden. Owner Rebecca Lemonius will also give an interesting talk on Vita’s life.

Picnic lunches provided to enjoy in the garden.

Terms and conditions