ONE of the world's most famous English gardens has been added to a major Kent tourism trail.

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, near Cranbrook, has joined six other attractions which make up the Seven Wonders of the Weald.

The gardens were created by writer Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat husband Sir Harold Nicolson.

The results of their teamwork as plantswoman and structural designer have inspired generations of gardeners and are a favourite of TV gardener Monty Don.

Owned by the National Trust for 40 years since Vita’s death, visitors can still see the lawns, beds and borders as the couple laid them out.

There is the famous white garden, the nuttery, the cottage garden and the lime walk, together with the writer’s room in the famous twin towers which soar over the gardens. Visitors can climb to the top for breathtaking views over the Weald region of Kent.

The gardens will be featuring in the current BBC2 series Around the World in 80 Gardens being presented by Monty Don.

The other wonders are Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest, and Finchcocks Musical Museum, both at Goudhurst; Bewl Water, Lamberhurst Vineyard and Scotney Castle, all at Lamberhurst, and Marle Place Gardens at Brenchley.

English Heritage’s Bayham Abbey dropped out this year.