The estate was the birthplace of Sir William Hart Dyke, who introduced the 'Hart Dyke' variety of the potato.
The current owner, Tom Hart Dyke, famously survived a nine-month kidnapping ordeal in the Andes while plant hunting.
The 16th-century parish church of St. Botolph, located on the grounds, contains the oldest stained glass in England, dating back to the 14th century.
Lullingstone has hosted historical figures including Queen Anne and Henry VIII.
The garden was specifically designed as a botanical 'map' to house the owner's international plant collections.
Lullingstone Castle has been the ancestral home of the Hart Dyke family for over 560 years. The site is noted for The World Garden, a project created by Tom Hart Dyke following his kidnapping in the Colombian jungle. The garden contains plants collected from around the globe, displayed in a layout shaped like a map of the world. The castle itself retains 15th-century brickwork and original Tudor architectural features. It is situated on the banks of the River Darent in the Darent Valley. The grounds feature a gatehouse built in the late 15th century and a 16th-century parish church. Visitors can tour the private residence, which contains historic family portraits and artifacts.
The view of the gatehouse from the central lawn of the garden, framing the Tudor brickwork against the planting.
Wear sensible footwear suitable for uneven gravel paths and grass surfaces.
Check the official website for specialized plant tours led by the head gardener or the owner.
Combine your visit with a walk along the surrounding Darent Valley Path.
Do not attempt to walk through the Darent Valley without a map, as local mobile reception can be intermittent.
Open seasonally from spring through autumn; generally closed during the winter months.
Visitors are requested to stay on marked pathways within the gardens and respect privacy in residential areas of the castle.
