If you’re looking for inspiration for a day trip where you can make the most of your natural surroundings, West Sussex gardens are bursting into life this spring. Come and enjoy the seasonal spectacle at some of our most beautiful gardens in the county.
Maybe not quite ‘secret’ as such but, with many of these landscapes tucked away behind old flint walls or magically seeming to double in size and unfold before your eyes, these hidden gems are just waiting to be discovered.
Here’s our round-up of the best gardens to explore throughout Sussex. Do check openings times before you visit, as some gardens close for periods of the winter.
Chichester
West Dean Gardens
On the edge of the River Lavant and overlooking the Lavant valley in the South Downs National Park, West Dean Gardens is a real treat. A gloriously restored garden, look out for the impressive 100-metre long pergola, working Victorian glasshouses and the walled kitchen garden. A stroll to the Spring Garden and ponds reveals quaint flint bridges, secret walkways and tranquil seating areas.
Bishop’s Palace Gardens
A little oasis of calm in the beautiful walled-city of Chichester, Bishop’s Palace Gardens appears as a lovely surprise between the Cathedral and roman City Walls. You’d be forgiven for not noticing it, but locals know this peaceful place well and often frequent the grounds for lunchtime picnics and floral encouragement.
Arundel
Denmans Garden
Small but beautifully formed, you’ll find something of interest to see throughout the year at Denmans four-acre garden located between Arundel and Chichester. Here, plantswoman Joyce Robinson and garden designer John Brookes MBE have created a contemporary space with layering and texture throughout the grounds. Denmans has also just been listed as a Grade II post-war garden on the National Heritage List for England.
Petworth
Petworth House and Park
Petworth House is surrounded by extensive 700-acre grounds, including a deer park and the informal yet immaculate Pleasure Ground, which was landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century. Dogs are very welcome within the grounds, with the deer park a great place to let them run off lead.
Horsham
Leonardslee Lake and Gardens
Come to Leonardslee Lake and Gardens to enjoy the atmospheric woodland walks, parkland, secret forest trails and magical lakes. The 240 acres of Grade I listed of ancient gardens have recently been restored enabling the wildlife to flourish in natural surroundings. You can spot uncommon species of trees and shrubs and there’s even a rare colony of wallabies.
Also on-site is the Michelin-starred Restaurant Interlude, a fine dining establishment inspired by Leonardslee itself, featuring freshly foraged and local ingredients. Plus, look out for Leonardslee Illuminated every December.
Sussex Prairie Garden
Owners Paul and Pauline emphasise the wonders of perennials and grasses, making the Sussex Prairie Garden a must-visit during the late summer to roam amongst the dreamy combinations. With soft colours and borders that encourage exploration, the garden complements the natural landscape whilst also housing various artists in residence, sculptures and exhibitions.
Crawley and East Grinstead
High Beeches Woodland and Water Garden
A visit to High Beeches and its 27 acres of woodland, water gardens and wild meadowland transports you to a timeless, otherworldly place. A harmonious balance of landscaping, natural planting and woodland makes an inviting and spacious place to explore, and a botanical treasure trove. The autumn colour from the maples, North American Nyssas and liquidambers is a spectacular sight.
Standen House and Gardens
Surrounding the characterful Arts and Crafts house at Standen, the hillside gardens and surrounding woodland are a real treat. An ideal spot for a crisp autumn walk accompanied by your four-legged family members, you can meander through the formal gardens, ancient woodlands and meadowlands on a colourful, self-guided walking trail.
Standen House ©National Trust Images/Chris Jonas
Haywards Heath
Nymans
Featuring international and plant heritage collections, Nymans is mix of carefully designed planting and exuberant displays where there is always something new to uncover. Formal and informal gardens, wildflower meadows, topiary and romantic gothic stone ruins create a year-round gardeners’ dream that is one of the best in West Sussex.
Borde Hill
Wandering through the gardens of Borde Hill and gazing up at the Elizabethan manor, it’s easy to imagine yourself in a period drama. This magnificent 16th century mansion is surrounded by gardens full of species of plants and shrubs collected from all over the world since 1899. Cleverly arranged garden ‘rooms’ each boast their own style and there are magnificent views across the Sussex High Weald.
Wakehurst Place
Covering over 500 acres, there’s plenty to see and do at Wakehurst. Take your time to explore the wetlands; the new boardwalks, seating and wooden shelter offer a tranquil space to sit and watch the birds and insects in their natural habitat. Visit the Coronation Meadow, Rock Walk and the Millenium Seed Bank with a mission to preserve the world’s plants for the future.
Don’t miss: The enchanting Glow Wild runs every year between November and January, with its glowing lanterns and torches and mesmerising projections.
Wakehurst ©National Trust Images/Gary Cosham
Rye
Great Dixter House & Gardens
Great Dixter is a garden you can immerse yourself in, vibrant, daring, and exciting. Originally home to the great gardener and garden writer Christopher Lloyd, the garden was the focus of his energy and enthusiasm and fuelled over 40 years of books and articles. Great Dixter is a garden you can immerse yourself in. Vibrant, daring and exciting. Great Dixter is gardened remaining true to the personality of Christo. It is a highly managed garden that is bold, experimental, and has a long season. It is exuberant yet rich in biodiversity. You'll find a cafe and nursery shop on site too, as well as the iconic house to explore.
Wadhurst
Pashley Manor Gardens
At Pashley you will discover 11 acres of beautiful borders and vistas – the culmination of a lifetime of passion for gardening, an appetite for beauty and an admiration of the tradition of the English Country garden. These graceful gardens are family owned and maintained – visitors often express delight at the attention to detail displayed throughout and the intimate, peaceful atmosphere.
All the ingredients of the English Country Garden are present – sweeping herbaceous borders, well maintained lawns, box hedges, espaliered rose walk, historic walled garden, inspiring kitchen garden, venerable trees and the Grade I listed house as a backdrop. The gardens are a haven for wildlife – bees, butterflies and small birds as well as moor hens, ducks and a black swan. Then, of course, the plants! Borders overflowing with perennials and annuals – the look changing through the seasons, but always abundantly filled, and each garden ‘room’ planted in a different colour theme.
Pashley is also renowned for fantastic displays of tulips, roses and dahlias. The annual Tulip Festival features more than 45,000 tulips! During Special Rose Week over a hundred varieties of rose swathe the walls, climb obelisks and bloom in flower beds. Then in late summer our Dahlia Days event transforms the gardens once more with bountiful, brightly coloured dahlias in every border and pot.
Copyright Pashley/Kate Wilson
Burwash
Bateman's
Bateman's sits nestled in the High Weald countryside, surrounded by fields and woodland. The 12-acre garden that made Rudyard Kipling feel like an English country gentleman includes a river, wildflower meadow, watermill, orchard, lily pond and formal rose garden. With colour and interest found throughout the year, there is always something to see as you discover the delights of the garden at Bateman’s. Spring blossom, summer roses, autumn apples and winter trees. 300 acres of High Weald countryside with small fields, hedgerows, ancient trees, hidden ponds and magnificent views across the Dudwell Valley. Don't forget to take a stroll around the Jacobean house on your visit, built in 1634.
