Today was so nice weather I decided to visit a garden and Sissinghurst was on my list. The site that Sissinghurst Castle Garden sits on was once a Saxon pig farm, it would have been originally called 'Saxenhurst', with 'hurst' having meant woodland.
The Tudor buildings were used as a prison for up to 3,000 French sailors who were captured by the British during the Seven Years War, between 1756 - 63. Held for months at a time in vile, stinking conditions, the prisoners lived in 'cells' with little access to fresh air, clean water or adequate food supplies.
The sailors referred to Sissinghurst as 'le châteaux' hence 'castle' being adopted into its name, although not a direct translation.
An original ink and dye drawing on display in the library is a remarkable insight into what the Sissinghurst site would have looked like in the 18th century.
In 1796 the Cranbrook 'Councillors' took out a lease on Sissinghurst from the owners at the time, the Mann-Cornwallis family, this was to be used as a poor house for the able-bodied. Around 100 men were offered housing, employment, and food.
The owners repaired many of the buildings, their legacy is apparent even today, on the weather vanes, you can see the markings MC 1839. The inmates worked the farm, which became profitable for the local parish.
When the estate reverted to the Cornwallis family in 1855 it was the beginning of a great period of Victorian 'high farming,' the Sissinghurst farm was deemed to be the best on the whole of the substantial Cornwallis estate.
When Vita Sackville-West and Harold purchased Sissinghurst in early 1930 it looked quite different to the present day. The buildings were used to house farmworkers, the current famous garden had yet to be laid out and was mostly growing vegetables for the workers. The surrounding farm was growing cereals as well as having well-established orchards and hop gardens.
Today the gardens are nice, and the legendary white garden is still there, but I would like to see more roses all over the garden. It is expensive at £13.15 if you are not a member, and you have to pay £3 for the car park.
The ladies toilets are nice and clean, try to use it before a coach load of people turns up. They do have a restaurant, but I guess you have to pay for the experience, there is a good pub/restaurant up the road in Sissinghurst. There is plenty of seating in the garden, or you can walk your dog around the grounds if you have the energy.
So get your lippy on and best dress and get exploring, I did stop at a garden centre before Sissinghurst and saw a very nice ladies hat at £15, I wish I had got it now!
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