There is always a reason to visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden, but this summer, there is a new one.
Work has now been completed on Delos, the Greek-inspired garden at the Kent estate, bringing to life an idea first conceived by writer and gardener Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson, the couple who created Sissinghurst, more than 90 years ago.
Created by National Trust staff in partnership with landscape designer Dan Pearson, the project marks the culmination of a 15-year renewal of the Grade I-listed garden and is now fully open to the public.
For regular visitors, it offers a new corner of Sissinghurst to explore; for everyone else, it is a timely reminder of the many reasons this remains one of England's most admired gardens — and why it is worth turning a day trip into a longer stay.
The story behind Delos
The origins of the garden date back to 1935, when Vita and Harold visited the Greek island of Delos and decided to create their own version at Sissinghurst. But the original site proved challenging, and the Mediterranean atmosphere they had hoped for never fully took hold. Vita later wrote: "This has not been a success so far, but perhaps some day it will come right."
Now, it finally has. As Troy Scott-Smith, Head Gardener at Sissinghurst, puts it: "Delos is the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle that was originally set out by Vita and Harold. It's a garden within a garden, and one that speaks to Sissinghurst’s enduring ability to evolve while remaining true to its spirit."
A new chapter at Sissinghurst
Work to reimagine Delos began in 2018, when Scott-Smith invited Dan Pearson and his studio to revisit the space. The aim was not simply to restore the garden, but to realise the spirit of Vita and Harold's original vision in a way that worked more successfully for the site.
The result is a Mediterranean-inspired landscape shaped by stone, structure and planting, with around 6,000 perennials typical of Greece and the wider Mediterranean basin. Pomegranates, cork oaks and cypress trees add to the dry, sun-baked character.
Pearson has described the project as "an act of interpretation as much as restoration" — one that responds both to the original ambition and to the realities of the site.
The garden first opened to the public in 2021, but this summer marks the completion of its final phase.
What's new
The latest addition replaces a 1930s garage beside the Priest’s House with a ravine-like route canopied by Mediterranean oak saplings, leading through the Lime North Garden and, for the first time, into the White Garden. The extension increases Delos by around 10 per cent, creating a more immersive route through this part of the estate.
And while Delos is reason enough to go, it is only one part of the appeal. A visit to Sissinghurst still means time for the Rose Garden, the Cottage Garden and, of course, the White Garden — each one part of the layered charm that keeps people coming back. With so much to see, this is one garden visit that lends itself to more than just a day trip.
Where to stay
No one wants to rush around Sissinghurst. Max your visit with an overnight stay in one of the area's pretty towns.
Tenterden
A handsome market town with good pubs, independent shops and easy access to the surrounding countryside.
Cranbrook
A pretty Wealden town with historic buildings, independent shops and an easy countryside feel, making it a good base for a slower Kent weekend.
Rye
A little further afield, but worth the detour, Rye offers cobbled streets, excellent places to eat and a more coastal kind of weekend.
