Hotels near Lullingstone Castle World Garden

The World Garden at Lullingstone Castle is a unique Garden containing nearly 8,000 different plant species gathered from all around the world by Tom Hart Dyke; plant hunter extraordinaire, who planned this amazing project whilst in captivity in the Colombian jungle!

Following his release from a nine month kidnap ordeal in December 2000 whilst on an orchid hunting trip, Tom returned to Lullingstone and began the task of creating the World Garden, located in the former two acre kitchen garden at his family home.

Laid out and planted as a map of the world with plants located within their respective countries of origin, the World Garden is a wonderful horticultural journey. Year on year rare and important botanical plants are added to the collection such as the Dinosaur Tree (Wollemi Pine) the oldest tree in the world planted close to Ayer's Rock in the Australia border and the rare and beautiful Eucalyptus Silver Princess which flowered for the first time ever in the UK within the grounds in 2006.

Never one to stand still Tom created and opened the 'Cloud Garden' in 2009, which transports visitors across the world to a landscape of Tree Ferns, Eucalyptus, and Acacias from Australia and New Zealand together with many species of North American carnivorous plants such as 'Pitcher' plants and Venus Fly Traps - great fun for the children. This important new addition to the World Garden contains many rare, endangered and tender species unable to survive and thrive outdoors.

Lullingstone is also home to the UK's leading collection of some 100 species hybrids and varieties of Eucalyptus. In May 2009 recognition was given by the designation of this as a 'National Collection' by Plant Heritage. From the world's largest flowering, frost tender Eucalyptus macrocarpa from Western Australia to the world's smallest Eucalyptus vernicosa - a small shrub at maturity. A large proportion of the specimens were hand collected by Tom in early 1999 in Tasmania with a grant from the Royal Horticultural Society and The Kent Garden's Trust.

A brand new 'mini garden' which opened in May 2010 is the World Garden in Miniature, planted entirely in alpines which are too delicate to plant in the World Garden. This Garden will feature some 200 different species of alpines.

A plant sales area is located adjacent to the World Garden and the first ever range of World Garden seeds can now be purchased.

The World Garden is set in the grounds of the beautiful Lullingstone Castle, the present Manor House and Gatehouse which overlook a stunning 15 acre lake were built in 1497 and have been home to the same family ever since. Both Henry VIII and Queen Anne are known to have been regular visitors. The pretty parish church of St Botolph's of Norman origin is situated in the grounds.