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Staff Writer
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21 April, 2026
Europe’s treasure trove of gorgeous places is well-stocked, to say the least. So attempting to determine which of the continent’s gems are the twinkliest of all is certainly no mean feat. But luckily the hard work has been done for us. The lovely lot over at the travel publication, Travel + Leisure have rummaged through every nook and cranny of the continent in search of the 20 most beautiful places in Europe. And guess what, folks? An idyllic garden near London managed to bag itself a rather comfy spot on the list, snapping up third place in the beaty contest. Not bad, hey?
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
The good-looking location in question is Sissinghurst Castle Garden; a quaint and quintessential English garden, perched slap-bang in the middle of the garden of England. The garden was created back in the 1930s by writer and diplomat duo, Vita Sackille-West and Harold Nicolson. They designed 10 ‘rooms’ for the garden; each with different designs and planting strategies. Before the pair transformed the grounds into a horticultural haven, Sissinghurst Castle Garden had quite the lengthy back story. It was used as a prison in the 1700s and was also used as a home for the women’s land army. But now the spot is looked after by the National Trust, attracting visitors from far and wide with its history, charm, and a beauty.
Credit: Rusana Fairclough, Shutterstock
To this very day you can explore the gorgeous garden rooms. And with each turn, no matter the season, you’ll be greeted by beautiful blooms, creating an explosion of colour and scent. Sissinghurst Castle Garden was nominated for Travel + Leisure’s list by Jim Strong (a member of the publication’s Travel Advisory Board and president of Strong Travel Services). He referred to the garden as a ‘treat to the soul’, and it certainly isn’t hard to see why. Visitors can also feast their eyes on some pretty glorious views from the top of the tower, visit the on-site shops, and grab a refreshment in the cafe.
Less than 90 minutes from London, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens is the perfect day trip from London during the sunny seasons. But if you do fancy venturing a bit further afield, here are the other stunning spots that made Travel + Leisure’s top ten.
The 10 most beautiful places in Europe
Lake Como, Italy
Corfu, Greece
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, England
Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland
Pienza, Italy
Dinant, Belgium
Bacharach, Germany
Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia and Albanias
“Wee Mad Road,” Scotland
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Italy
You can have a browse of Travel + Leisure’s full findings here.