Great Gardens of Sussex
In Mid-Sussex, lies a collection of the finest gardens in England. The gardens of Wakehurst Place, Leonardslee, Nymans, High Beeches and Borde Hill, are an exceptional group and enhance this region as one of the prime destinations for Garden lovers. Within the bounds of the High Weald, an area of outstanding natural beauty, the gardens are a stunning display of the most important trees and shrubs in the country. With nationally important collections, award winning flowers and miles of stunning scenery, they make the area outstanding for any garden enthusiast.
Each garden has something different to add; rare wildflower meadow at High Beeches, stunning house at Nymans, Champion Trees at Borde Hill, the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst and the "Beyond the Dolls House" a model town and country estate at Leonardslee.
Great Gardens of Sussex is supported by the Mid-Sussex District Council.
Borde Hill
The garden is a plantsman's paradise, world famous for its collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, rare trees and plants introduced by the great plant collectors in early 1900's. It captivates and delights our visitors with a series of distinctive Arts and Crafts 'garden rooms', which reflex the changing moods of nature. Early Spring sees magnolias and camellias burst into flower. Mid Spring rhododendrons and azaleas provide a riot of colour. In Summer the sumptuous Rose Garden is in full bloom along with the richly planted borders. The garden is set in an outstanding landscape with breathtaking views over the Sussex High Weald.
Fact Box
Tel 01444 450326 www.bordehill.co.uk
High Beeches Woodland and Water Gardens
Magnificent High Beeches Woodland and Water Gardens is 27 tranquil acres of rare, historic and unusual plants and trees, RHS award winning specimens and Champion trees. In spring enjoy glorious, colourful and fragrant walks among daffodils, bluebells, magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, acers and other beautiful spring flowers. In summer the best natural wildflower meadow in Sussex is in full flower. During August delight in swathes of stunning blue as the tall Willow Gentians flower throughout the gardens - the only site in the UK where they are naturalised. Autumn at High Beeches Gardens is simply the most stunning visual feast of crimson, gold and orange.
Fact Box
Tel 01444 400589 www.highbeeches.com
Leonardslee lakes & gardens
Leonardslee has magnificent displays of rhododendron and azaleas and a fascinating miniature 1/12 scale model exhibition "Beyond the Doll's House". Listed Grade I and sitting in a valley with seven beautiful lakes it is one of the finest in Europe when the sumptuous blooms overhang paths fringed with bluebells, making an earthly paradise full of fragrances. The Rock Garden is a kaleidoscope of colours with azaleas of every hue. "Beyond the Doll's House", an exhibition of life 100 years ago, is one of the most detailed examples in the world with around 140ft of frontage. Discover the wildlife: wallabies, deer, ducks, and much more; also see the Victorian cars and sculptures.
Fact Box
Tel 01403 891212 www.leonardsleegardens.com
Nymans
One of the great 20th century gardens with an important collection of rare plants, set around a romantic house and ruins in a beautiful wooded estate. The garden design includes a Pinetum, Heather Garden, Rose Garden, Wisteria-clad pergola, Walled Garden, Summer Borders and massed plantings of Magnolia, Camellia and Rhododendron.
Fact Box
Tel 01444 405250 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans
Wakehurst
Wakehurst Place, in the beautiful High Weald of Sussex, is an outstanding botanic garden and conservation area, managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Wakehurst Place has a mild, friendly climate, a high rainfall and moisture-retentive soils, complementing the conditions at Kew and allowing many important groups of plants, unable to be grown successfully at Kew, to flourish here. In the woodlands, there are trees from the temperate zones of the world. The planting styles range from formal walled gardens by the Mansion, through expansive specimen beds, to waterside and bog gardens. The estate is home to no fewer than four National Collections - hypericums, skimmias, birches and southern beeches.
Fact Box
Tel 01444 894000 www.kew.org/wakehurst
Fact Box
Mid Sussex is just minutes fromt he M23 and Gatwick
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