25 is a special year for The World Garden, as its creator Tom Hart Dyke, volunteers and visitors celebrate its 20th anniversary. A botanical gem that is set in the beautiful Kent countryside and nestled within the historic grounds of Lullingstone Castle near Eynsford.

The vision of The World Garden was the creation of Tom, a modern day plant hunter who triumphed through adversity to make his dream a reality. 2025, also marks 25 years since he was kidnapped in Colombia in 2000 on a plant hunting mission for orchids and to help him endure his nine months in captivity, he began sketching out a map of his ideas. On his release he returned home to Lullingstone Castle and started working within the two acre walled garden to transform it into the first World Garden of Plants.




Opened on Easter Saturday in 2005, visitors now walk through the moon gate to be greeted by some 8,000 plant species, varieties, cultivars, and hybrids planted in their respective countries of origin. A feast for the senses in all seasons, the garden pays homage to the amazing achievements of the great plant hunters, who risked life and limb in pursuit of the plants we now cherish in our UK gardens, almost 80% of the plants grown are not native to this country.
Many years of dedication by Tom, his volunteers, family, the local and wider plant community have helped shaped the garden, not forgetting his inspirational Granny 'Crac' who filled him with a passion for plants and adventure from an early age.



As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, visitors will be able to enjoy seeing new plant and sculpture additions, as well as attend a summer party event to mark the special occasion on the 13th of July.

The World Garden is open every Thursday to Sunday, including Bank Holiday Mondays until the 26th of October.
www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk