We've been to Ightham Moat a couple of times now and enjoyed it both times, although they have felt quite different visits, with the first being back in October 2017 with 10-year-old twins and then the next time was this summer, during the COVID pandemic, and we took our three teenagers.
If you're looking to visit in the near future the moated house is currently closed but you can enjoy the outdoor space, both the gardens and the wider estate. The gardens aren't too big and with a one way system currently, they will only take an hour or so to walk around. If I'm honest, they are not impressive like the gardens of many National Trust sites. I think the gem of this site is being able to go inside the house, so with that closed the site doesn't have quite so much wow factor as normal. However, if you are willing to head out and take a longer walk, then the wider estate is fabulous and well-worth exploring. There is a big hill though, so be warned!
I think pictures speak a thousand words, so have a look at these from our visit this summer. The first few photos are within the gardens.
We captured the same photo in 2017 and then again this year and you can see just how much my twins have changed and grown!
These next pictures are out in the wider estate of Ightham Moat. There are around 221 hectres to the estate, so it is vast with about 30% of it being woodland. There are three clear way-marked walks ranging from 1.6km to 4km and the gradients vary too. We took the 2km moderate walk and it was a joy but the hill is quite an incline.
You can walk down a track between fields and the views are quite stunning as it is a hillside. There are also lots of areas in the hedge where you can hide and play. Even my teens were having fun doing this and quite happily jumping out and scaring me!
We had various stops for the girls to do Tik Tok dances and then we even found a spot with good 4G and sat and took a few selfies and silly photos.
We were both trying to get our own photos in this one! lol
The bench was perfectly placed to sit and look out over this gorgeous Kent countryside view.
Address: Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0NT
Email: ighthammote@nationaltrust.org.uk
Telephone: 01732810378
Opening Hours: Currently the garden and cafe open at 10am and close at 5pm, but as Winter draws in the closing time changes to 4pm. The wider estate is open dawn until dusk. Check online before you travel.
Cost: Currently it is £8 per adult, £4 per child or £20 for a family. Included for National, Trust Members.
Booking: You are encouraged to book for all NT sites right now, especially for weekends and school holidays. There may be some on-the-gate availability if you're willing to risk just turning up and maybe being turned away.
Car Parking: Plenty of parking and I believe it is £2 for non-members and included for NT members.
Shopping & Eating: When we visited in June the shop and cafe were both still closed but they have now reopened, although I see the cafe is for take-out only (apparently there is a good amount of outdoor seating) and a limited range of snacks and drinks.
Natural Play Park: Is currently closed.
Dogs: Assistance dogs are permitted in all areas, and dogs on leads are allowed in the wider estate.
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