Time seems to stand still here at Lullingstone Castle. It feels like a place frozen in time, where the past whispers through the ages. This grand manor house, built in the 16th century, has seen its share of history. It was a place where royalty themselves once roamed, a haven for kings and queens. Its earliest mention appears in the Domesday Book, a testament to its enduring presence.
Lullingstone Castle is steeped in history. The story starts with Sir John Peche, a man of considerable power and influence in the 15th century. He was High Sheriff of Kent and held other important positions in the kingdom. He set about building a home worthy of his stature, starting construction work in the late 1490s. King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were regular visitors to the house. Their footsteps on the grand staircase must have echoed through the very halls that we stand before today.
Over the years, the castle passed through generations of families. In the 16th century, it came into the hands of Sir Percival Hart, and later it eventually became the seat of the Hart Dyke family. Today, it’s in the care of the 20th generation of the family, Tom Hart Dyke. The garden, in particular, has his mark. He has transformed it into a World Garden of Plants. This fascinating collection, which you can visit from April to September, has many different kinds of trees and plants, including rare baobab trees.
Lullingstone Castle stands as a testament to the grandeur of ages gone by, a place where history comes alive, and where centuries-old stories unfold before our very eyes. So, let us wander through its grounds, imagine the echoes of past lives, and breathe in the spirit of this beautiful and historic place.