Planning your trip to Sissinghurst Garden Castle

THE BEST WAY TO SISSINGHURST

From LAX, British, Air New Zealand, American, United and Virgin Atlantic offer nonstop service, and Continental and US Airways offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $731. Take the train from Charing Cross to Staplehurst (about one hour, https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk, one-way tickets begin at $23) and a taxi to Sissinghurst, about four miles.

TELEPHONES

To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 44 (country code for Britain) and the local number.

VISITING THE CASTLE

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Sissinghurst, Kent TN17 2AB; 1580-710-700, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-sissinghurstcastlegarden. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays. The flower gardens generally open in mid-March, the vegetable gardens in May; they close for the year in October. The estate is open all year. Admission is about $14 for adults and $7 for children.

WHERE TO STAY

Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse, Sissinghurst, near Cranbrook, Kent; 1580-720-992, https://www.sissinghurstcastlefarmhouse.com. Recently refurbished. Seven bedrooms. Doubles begin at $148 a night and include breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT

Three Chimneys Freehouse, Hareplain Road, Biddenden, Kent; 1580-291-472, https://www.thethreechimneys.co.uk. Accent on local fare produced with locally grown ingredients. Entrees $17.50-$28.

Bull at Benenden, The Street, Benenden; 1580-240-054, https://www.thebullatbenenden.co.uk. Good pub fare whose entrees might include steak and kidney pudding or fish and chips. Entrees from $12-$24.

The West House, 28 High St., Biddenden, 1580-291-341, https://www.thewesthouserestaurant.co.uk, three-course dinner from $52.

Apicius, 23 Stone St., Cranbrook, 1580-714-666, https://www.restaurant-apicius.co.uk, two courses from $40, three from $48).

Locals recommend these last two places, both of which have one Michelin star.

TO LEARN MORE:

“Sissinghurst: An Unfinished History: The Quest to Restore a Working Farm at Vita Sackville-West’s Legendary Garden,” by Adam Nicolson

“The Land,” (1926) by Vita Sackville-West.

The National Trust, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Visit Britain, (800) 462-2748, https://www.visitbritain.com