Chiddingstone Castle, Kent
Details
Accessibility
"All principal entrances and exits are accessible by wheelchair. All collections are sited on the ground floor and are easily accessible for wheelchair users. The Library and Streatfeild room are located on the first floor and so interpretations for these can be found in the Housekeeper’s Room on the ground floor. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding your visit."
https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/accessibility-and-inclusion/
2026: "Parking for visitors with a blue badge is on the lawn side of the car park. If needed you may also drop off at the front entrance of the castle before returning to park in a disabled bay.
Wheelchairs. All principal entrances and exits are accessible by wheelchair (some require a ramp so please ask at the main door or call in advance). The main collections are all sited on the ground floor and are easily accessible for wheelchair users. One manual wheelchair is available from the main Visitor Entrance for use free of charge, but please do phone us to book in advance of your visit.
Mobility scooters may be brought into the house and the grounds - to be kept at a walking pace speed and not cause any inconvenience or danger to other visitors.
Grounds. Around the grounds the route mostly consists of grass paths, fine gravel and tarmac. There is an area of larger gravel to the side of the Castle but it is next to a wide strip of grass that may be easier for wheelchair access.
SEN. We welcome families who have children with SEN, the castle has interactive discovery boxes to help bring the collections to life offering a sensory experience alongside the exhibits. We will also begin considering BSL tours and sensory tours in the future. Please contact us for more information if this is of interest.
Visually Impaired. When visiting we have folders with large font text in the key collection rooms. We also have links to them below that can be downloaded prior to your visit for use with pdf read aloud software. Castle Access to the first floor rooms are by staircase only, the steps are wide and there is a hand rail. There is currently no wheelchair access or lift facility. However descriptions, images and information on these rooms can be found in the housekeepers room.
Throughout the Castle rooms you will find seats and resting points at frequent intervals. If you would like to attend one of our talks but don’t feel you can stand for the full time please speak to a member of staff so they can assist you. There is 1 toilet with adaptations located in the courtyard.
The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located by the stairs in the centre of the main house and in the South Hall.
The male and female toilet facilities are located in the courtyard.
Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the female toilet in the centre of the house and within the accessible toilet."
Brief description
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiddingstone_Castle
https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/about-us/
"An historic house in West Kent with 400 years of history and a collection of Ancient Egyptian, Japanese, Jacobite and Stuart, and Buddhist objects.
Chiddingstone Castle has Tudor origins, Victorian rooms and was remodelled in the 19th century to resemble a medieval castle. It has been owned and lived in by an eclectic mix of people: the Streatfeild family, Lord Astor, military forces during WWII, Long Dene School and the collector Denys Eyre Bower.
In 1955, Bower bought Chiddingstone Castle to house his extensive collections of art and antiquities. His dream was to share his collections with the nation and to preserve them for future generations. After his death in 1977, a charitable trust was set up to honour his wish."
https://longdene.wordpress.com/
"LONG DENE was an extraordinary community and school that lasted from 1939 until 1954. Fifteen or so years – but what a lasting impression it made on all those who lived there and went to school there! Decades after the school closed, ex-students and staff, known as Old Denizens, would still get together twice a year – and a small group still does.
John Christopher Guinness (1906-1978) and his wife Karis MacKenzie Guinness (1911-2006) were the founders and directors of the school and the larger community associated with it. In 1944, five years into their “intentional community,” John wrote vividly about their ideas in an article published in Sport and Country, a magazine in UK – “COMMUNITY ADVENTURE: THE STORY OF LONG DENE SCHOOL.” "
https://longdene.wordpress.com/category/long-dene-website/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cjfb3RsVZc
https://longdene.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/last-visit/
https://repatterningsessions.wordpress.com/about/antheas-background-bio/
Address
Chiddingstone Castle, Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge TN8 7AD
hello@chiddingstonecastle.org.uk
Phone
01892 870347
Website
https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/visit-us/
https://www.facebook.com/ChiddingstoneCastle
Directions
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
"CASTLE, COLLECTIONS & TEA ROOM
The Castle, Tea Room and Gift Shop are open Thursday to Sunday from 12 March to 31 October 2026. Except when closed for private events.
PARKING IS CHARGED ALL YEAR ROUND
Parking is free for the first hour, then charged at £1 for up to 2 hours or £3 for the full day (+20p Ringo fee).
GROUNDS AND LAKE
Open daily 7am - 6.30pm except when closed for private functions
WEDDINGS, FILM SHOOTS AND PRIVATE BOOKINGS ENQUIRIES
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm "
Transport
The nearest train station is Penshurst.
Amenities
https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/whats-on/
https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/visit-us/tea-room/
"The Tea Room is open Thursday to Sunday except when the castle is closed for private events. Orders taken 11am to 4:15pm. Choose from homemade cakes, scones and light lunches, traditional English afternoon tea (pre booked only) and cream teas. Table service in a beautifully traditional tea room setting. Menu options are available for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegans and other dietary requirements - please speak to the waiting team when you order to let us know of any allergies."
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
Castle Inn Public House, Chiddingstone, Kent
220 metres*
279 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.