From the spring bursting with colour to the lush greens of summer, and the golden tones of autumn to the wild walks of winter – Sussex gardens are a joy to visit at any time of the year, and Mid Sussex has some of the most beautiful.
Discover Sussex’s wild side with this itinerary taking in the area’s gorgeous gardens and elegant estates, refuelling at charming countryside pubs and savouring exceptional Michelin-starred fine dining.
Day one: garden history meets woodland charm at Nymans and High Beeches
From romantic ruins to woodland wonder, discover two neighbouring yet distinctive Sussex gardens in one day.
Begin your getaway with a visit to Nymans (closest train station Haywards Heath, 15 minutes drive). This National Trust gem is filled with romantic ruins and blooming borders; spend a leisurely morning wandering the grounds and admiring the views across the Sussex Weald from the Grade II* listed garden. In spring, the blossoms and magnolias are a beautiful sight to behold, and in the autumn, Nymans’ woodland creates a gorgeous golden display.
Have a light lunch in one of Nymans’ onsite cafes, or for something more substantial, divert to The Red Lion in nearby Handcross, a cosy pub with hearty fare.
From Nymans, it’s a short 5-minute drive to the peaceful High Beeches Woodland & Water Garden (open March to October, every day except Wednesdays), a hidden oasis of rare and exotic plants. Spend your afternoon wandering through this 27-acre woodland sanctuary with tranquil glades, beautiful water gardens, and majestic trees.
Spring at High Beeches heralds magnificent magnolias, dazzling daffodils, and carpets of bluebells. In summer, the wildflower meadow is buzzing with insects and butterflies, and in autumn, the garden is ablaze with fiery foliage.
End your day at one of the luxurious spa hotels, Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa in Cuckfield or Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa in Turners Hill. With outstanding spa facilities to soothe weary legs and exceptional restaurants serving elegant cuisine. The Sussex menus showcase local produce and pair beautifully with a carefully curated wine list featuring local vineyards.
Day two: English countryside perfection at Borde Hill and Le Flamant
Savour the best of British with a visit to a quintessential English country garden and an excellent, cosy culinary treat.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way to Borde Hill Garden (open to visitors from February to December), 383 acres of Grade II* heritage-listed parkland sweeping around an Elizabethan Mansion House.
This magnificent English country garden features an internationally significant plant collection displayed spectacularly in its themed outdoor garden rooms – including an idyllic Italian Garden and Jay Robin’s Rose Garden, designed by RHS gold medal winner Robin Williams.
Set in the High Weald National Landscape, Borde Hill Garden is a natural canvas that changes with the seasons, from the rhododendron blooms of spring to the fragrant roses of summer and the glowing hues of autumn.
Having worked up an appetite, head to the pretty village of Lindfield. Seek out Le Flamant, a boutique restaurant serving sophisticated sharing plates from some of Sussex's finest suppliers. Lindfield is one of Sussex’s prettiest villages, taking in the picture postcard cricket green, duck pond, and historic timber-framed buildings – it doesn’t get much more traditional than this! Enjoy a locally roasted coffee from Lindfield Coffee Works and pick up something beautiful from the independent boutiques scattered along the high street.
Return to Ockenden Manor in just 10 minutes for a refreshing swim in the in-and-outdoor swimming pool or some relaxation in the spa after a busy day.
Day three: marvel at the botanical brilliance of Wakehurst
Explore one of the world’s most marvellous wild botanic gardens and finish the day with Michelin-starred cuisine.
A short drive from your hotel takes you to Wakehurst, Kew Gardens’ wild Sussex sister (open all year from 10 am to 6 pm).
Allow a full day to enjoy this immense and wonderfully wild garden, taking in the Elizabethan Mansion housing its newly restored exhibition spaces, the exquisite walled garden, 500 acres of diverse landscapes with plants from across the globe, and the Millennium Seed Bank – a huge conservation project holding a collection of over 2.4 billion seeds from around the world, helping to protect the future of wild plant biodiversity.
Wakehurst holds special events throughout the year, set against the backdrop of its changing seasonal scenes, including the circus-inspired festival Wanderwild in summer and Glow Wild, a magical Christmas light trail lighting up the gardens in the winter.
Feeling wholesome after a full day at Wakehurst, check in at Gravetye Manor, with its own historic gardens that are a masterclass in naturalistic landscaping, with 35 acres designed by pioneering gardener William Robinson, offering a tranquil escape and a feast for the senses throughout the year.
Gravetye Manor’s magnificent Michelin Star restaurant ‘The Dining Room’ reflects their commitment to culinary excellence using seasonal produce often grown on-site, with a view over the gardens through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Day four: Arts and Crafts combined at Standen House and Gardens
Leave with a lasting impression from a visit to an Arts and Crafts classic.
Begin your final day at Gravetye Manor and take time to enjoy a post-breakfast stroll in the historic grounds and gardens.
Squeeze in one final garden visit with a trip to the National Trust’s Standen House and Gardens, a perfectly preserved Arts and Crafts family home with original Morris & Co. interiors and charming hillside gardens. Open year-round with seasonal events including summer music afternoons and festive decorations at Christmas.
Feeling adventurous? Follow the six-mile trail from Standen to Kingscote station, part of the Bluebell Railway, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a steam train as it passes by!
