International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) and National Trust Sissinghurst Castle Garden have partnered to offer a new free-to-enter special award to celebrate the beauty of this world-renowned garden.

Use photography to capture the enduring beauty of the gardens that were the legacy of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. This historic, poetic refuge is a perfect location for all types of garden photography including the iconic White Garden. From colourful borders to the Elizabethan tower, Sissinghurst is a garden dreamscape, awaiting capture.

Look for recognisable Sissinghurst scenes for example the estate, indoors and from the garden which reinforce the wider context of the gardens with flair and originality. Avoid out-of-context macro shots of plants.

Prizes

First adult prize:

By entering this category your image stands a chance to win the 'Sissinghurst Photographic Award' 1st place title.

• 1 x prize copy of IGPOTY Book 13
• Signed individual certificate
• Image exhibited at National Trust Sissinghurst Castle Garden
• Special prize awarded by Sissinghurst: a private tour for two with the head gardener.

Second adult prize:

• 1 x prize copy of IGPOTY Book 13
• Signed individual certificate
• Image exhibited at Sissinghurst
• Special prize awarded by Sissinghurst: 1x Sissinghurst hamper.

Third adult prize:

• 1 x prize copy of IGPOTY Book 13
• Signed individual certificate
• Image exhibited at Sissinghurst
• Special prize awarded by Sissinghurst: a cream tea for two at Sissinghurst.

First youth prize:

General rules:

• You may not submit watermarked images with your name or website visible on the photo. Please do not frame your images with borders.
• Entrants may submit a maximum of 4 images per single entry token and a maximum of 6 images per portfolio entry token.
• For free-to-enter competitions you should enter 1 image per token given, up to a maximum of 8 images (8 tokens).
• Entrants' images must be .jpg or .jpeg format and of high enough quality.
• All entries (low-res) images should be a maximum of 1920px on their longest side at 72 ppi (ideally with an sRGB colour profile).
• The maximum file size for each initial entry (low-res) image file must not be more than 6MB.
• All entrants must be able to supply a full size high-res image (300 ppi) for each entry, suitable for printing/exhibiting should an entry be shortlisted. You may be asked for this when the time comes.

N.B.

• High-res source file/s need to be at least 3780 pixels (longest side) @ 300 ppi, ideally larger (and ideally with an Adobe RGB (1998) colour profile).

Full competition rules:

Please see the IGPOTY competition rules, which always prevail:
https://igpoty.com/igpoty-rules/

Category rules:

Only images captured at National Trust Sissinghurst Castle Garden are valid. Entrants cannot win the overall IGPOTY prize.

The award is free to enter. Adults and children may enter (with parent/guardian's permission and registration. Child's name MUST be supplied during shortlisting stage. Normal admission fees apply. National Trust employees are excluded from entry; volunteers are permitted to enter. Each entrant may upload a maximum of 8 images. For special prizes awarded by Sissinghurst the winner must attend Sissinghurst to collect. Standard IGPOTY rules apply. Closing time for entries on the deadline date is midday (noon) GMT.

Please see IGPOTY Competition Rules for full terms, which always prevail.

Online submissions

For help please visit our Frequently-Asked-Questions page.