This guide plans a visit around West Malling: a Norman tower and a country park facing each other across St Leonard’s Street, and a National Trust manor house at Ightham. The first two can be done together on foot. Ightham Mote is a separate trip with its own ticket. InKent lists Ightham Mote under Ightham, which it groups with West Malling. The cards below link to each place’s InKent page.
St Leonard’s Tower
St Leonard’s Tower is an early Norman tower on St Leonard’s Street, West Malling. English Heritage lists it as free, and says you can view the exterior during daylight hours but cannot go inside. English Heritage says little is known about the tower’s history, but that it is thought by some to have been part of a castle built between 1077 and 1108 by Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, and that it may alternatively have been built by Bishop Odo of Bayeux. The Historic England listing text, as reproduced by British Listed Buildings and Kent HER, says it was built by Gundulf between 1077 and 1108.
- Cost: free, according to English Heritage.
- Getting there: the English Heritage page points to the charged parking in Manor Park Country Park opposite, and says English Heritage does not manage it.
- Suits: a short stop, and anyone interested in Norman buildings.
Manor Park Country Park
Manor Park Country Park is run by Kent County Council and sits opposite the tower on St Leonard’s Street. It was once part of an 18th-century estate and now has a lake, meadows and woodland, a play area and the Manor Park Cafe. Kent County Council lists pay and display parking, disabled parking, accessible toilets, easy access and waymarked trails, tramper hire, a children’s play area and a trim trail. Kent County Council lists the car park as opening at 9am and locked at 9pm or dusk, whichever is earlier.
- Cost: no entry charge is listed. Parking is pay and display.
- Access: easy access trails, disabled parking, accessible toilets and tramper hire are listed.
- Suits: families, and walkers who want waymarked trails.
Ightham Mote
Ightham Mote is a National Trust moated manor house at Ivy Hatch, near Ightham. The grounds have gardens, estate walks, a cafe and a shop. The Trust’s Christmas opening runs from 21 November to 3 January, and hours vary through the winter, with the house closed on some days. The estate is listed as open from dawn to dusk. Check the Trust’s page for the days the house is open before you set out.
On 29 October 2026, an adult ticket for the garden and estate was £8.50, or £9.40 with Gift Aid, from 2 to 20 November. An adult ticket for the house, garden and estate was £14.00, or £15.40 with Gift Aid, from 21 November to 3 January. National Trust members go free. Prices change, so confirm on the Trust’s page.
- Dogs: dogs on short leads are welcome, except in the natural play area, the enclosed garden and the house.
- Access: an accessible route runs through the garden and around South Lake. The ground floor of the house is accessible, but some corridors are narrow. Manual wheelchairs and a powered mobility scooter can be booked by phone.
- Suits: visitors who want a historic house and a longer estate walk in one trip.
Choosing between them
- Mostly outdoors, close together: St Leonard’s Tower and Manor Park Country Park together. One is exterior-only and free to view, and the other lists a cafe and trails.
- A ticketed visit: Ightham Mote, with house, garden and estate.
- Dogs: Ightham Mote welcomes dogs on short leads outside the house and enclosed garden. Check Kent County Council’s page for Manor Park’s rules.
- Winter visits: Manor Park’s car park is locked at 9pm or dusk, whichever is earlier, so in winter that means dusk. Ightham Mote’s house has variable days, so check before you travel.
Planning the day
St Leonard’s Tower and Manor Park Country Park face each other across St Leonard’s Street, so they work as one outing: look at the tower from outside, then walk the park’s trails or stop at the cafe. English Heritage points to Manor Park’s pay and display car park for the tower, so one visit to the car park covers both. The car park is locked at 9pm or dusk, whichever is earlier, so watch the time in winter.
Ightham Mote needs its own plan. Choose your date first, because the house is closed on some days and the ticket depends on the date: the garden and estate ticket applies from 2 to 20 November, and the house, garden and estate ticket from 21 November to 3 January. National Trust members go free. If you bring a dog, remember that it cannot go into the house or the enclosed garden.
Getting there
English Heritage points to Manor Park’s charged car park for the tower. Ightham Mote is not in West Malling, so check the National Trust’s page for directions and parking. Use the train operator’s journey planner for rail options and current fares.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside St Leonard’s Tower?
No. English Heritage says the exterior can be viewed during daylight hours and there is no access to the interior.
Is there a cafe at Manor Park Country Park?
Yes. Kent County Council lists the Manor Park Cafe among the park’s facilities.
Do I need to book Ightham Mote?
The National Trust’s page for Ightham Mote says booking is not required for a general visit, though some events must be booked. Check the page for the date you plan to visit.
Can I take a dog to Ightham Mote?
Dogs on short leads are welcome, except in the natural play area, the enclosed garden and the house.