Lullingstone Castle
and The World Garden
Currently owned by Tom Dyke Hart, plant hunter and architect of The World Garden, Lullingstone Castle has been in the ownership of the same family since the 15th century.
Unfortunately, on the day we visited, the church, main house and hot house were closed due to a certain virus going about. Nonetheless this did not spoil a pleasant four hours discovering some new plant ideas for the garden and the castle grounds.
At the shop, we were served by amiable young man, whom we later found out was the main man himself, Tom Dyke Hart. After picking his brains on succulent care, I wish we had chatted longer.
Although an interesting visit for keen gardeners, the castle is also steeped in history with many royal visitors. We shall definitely take another wander when everything is open again.
A few facts:
- Castle dates back to 1497
- A silk farm was here during the 1930s with a royal pedigree
- Queen Anne and Henry VIII visited
- Home to the World Garden of Plants with approximately 8,000 plant types
- St Boltoph church (Norman), has some of England's oldest stained glass windows
- A Compare the Market advert was filmed here
- In 2000, Tom Dyke Hart was kept captive for nine months in Columbia on a plant hunting trip
- Home to rarest gum tree
- You will find the world's most dangerous plant here, the stinky Dog Pooh plant (Hoodia gordonii)
