Gardens of Sussex

There are many fine gardens to visit in Sussex - usually complemented by a beautiful old manor-house or stately home which doubles the pleasure of a visit. Enjoy the formal gardens of Groombridge Place, featuring drunken topiary and Roman Emperors, and then explore the mysterious grottos of the Enchanted Forest.

The nineteenth century saw many plant-hunting expeditions to the Himalayas and further afield by members of the Loder, Stephenson Clarke and Messel families who brought back seeds and plants that still flourish today in the renowned botanical gardens of Sussex's High Weald.

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens

Home to one of the most magnificent displays of rhododendrons and azaleas and also the fascinating miniature model exhibition "Beyond the Doll's House", the Grade I listed gardens are one of the finest in Europe.

Nestling in a romantic valley with paths around seven beautiful lakes Leonardslee is a paradise with the sumptuous rhododendrons overhanging paths fringed with bluebells. The Rock Garden is a kaleidoscope of colours with azaleas of every hue. "Beyond the Doll's House", is one of the most detailed examples in the world with a frontage of around 140ft. Discover the wildlife including Wallabies; don't miss the Victorian cars and modern sculpture display. Enjoy hot food in our licensed self-service restaurant and visit the gift shop and plant sales.

Find out more about Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens

Arundel Caslte

A new early 17th Century classical garden is being built adjacent to the old kitchen gardens in the grounds of Arundel Castle. The garden is in memory of the Collector Earl, (Thomas the 14th Earl of Arundel) who was the first great English Collector of Art. He was the Patron of Inigo Jones and Van Dyke and he commissioned a garden at Arundel House off the Strand in London to show off his collection of Greek and Roman marbles, many of which are now at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Many of the features in his garden at Arundel House were designed by Inigo Jones.

Find out more about Arundel Castle

Pashley Manor Gardens

Award winning Pashley Manor Gardens in Ticehurst, East Sussex, opens for the season on Thursday 3rd April 2008. In spring every garden is special - a time of hope, renewal and excitement, and Pashley is no exception. Pearly white snowdrops, sunny daffodils, fresh new greenery on the trees, beautiful pink buds on the magnolias, fragrant bluebells carpeting the woodland and the spring highlight, the Tulip Festival; a magnificent colour themed display of 20,000 tulips in almost 90 varieties.

The Tulip Festival runs for 11 consecutive days from Friday 25th April to Monday 5th May. For this time, in addition to the abundance of tulips in the gardens, there will also be 2,000 cut tulips arranged in the Manor and in a marquee on the Elizabethan terrace. Experts from Bloms Bulbs, winners of 57 Chelsea Gold Medals, will be on hand with advice and to take bulb orders for delivery in the autumn. Find out more about Pashley Manor

Borde Hill Gardens

Spring Plant Fair
With RHS SE Rhododendron & Magnolia and ICS Camellia Competitions.
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 April 2008
Top class exhibitions of rare rhododendrons, magnificent magnolias and collectable camellias, local food, drink and craft stands are all on offer at Borde Hill Garden's Sprint Plant Fair on Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 April 2008. The Show presents a flowering haven for visitors with a burst of spring colour and a horticultural feast of plants.

Petworth House

Petworth House opens for the 2008 season on 1 March. For the first two weeks just the Pleasure Ground, Shop and Restaurant are open, with the main House opening on 15 March. The Pleasure Grounds will be awash with rare and unusual daffodils that carpet the undulating 30 acre terrain, and visitors will also be able to see the newly restored Ionic Rotunda. Find out more about Petworth House

High Beeches Gardens, Handcross

High Beeches Gardens is 27 acres of tranquil woodland and water gardens, situated in the heart of mid-Sussex. The century old garden is full of rare and historic plants and in spring the glades are particularly beautiful.

In March enjoy Camellias and the many, spring flowering Magnolias. Visitors can also wander through the enchanting Daffodil Field of Hope. April sees more elegant, Magnolias, Camellias and colourful Rhododendrons.

Early May is bluebell time. This best loved native blooms throughout the open glades and the fragrance mingles with the sweetly scented Rhododendrons and other glorious spring flowers.

Find out more about High Beeches Gardens

Nyman's Garden

Nymans is one of the greatest 20th century gardens in the country with an important collection of rare plants, set around a romantic house and ruins in a beautiful woodland estate.

Internationally known for its beauty and variety, Nymans is the achievement of three generations of the Messel family and their gardeners. The family sponsored great plant hunters, who explored far-off countries in search of wild and exotic plants, vastly adding to the collection at Nymans; whilst the delightful rose garden and flower borders provide the atmosphere for this beautiful English garden. A fire in 1947 left much of Nymans House in ruins, which now form a romantic backdrop to the garden. The surviving rooms in the House can be visited from March to the end of October, and are largely displayed as the family used them. Nymans is open Wednesday to Sunday, through the changing seasons, and is as beautiful in winter as in summer. Visit the Nyman's website