This month, the National Garden Scheme’s Publicity Officer for East & Mid Sussex, Geoff Stonebanks, has picked out some wonderful gardens opening for the charity across our county. July should be the hottest month of the year creating the perfect opportunity to get out and see some gorgeous Sussex NGS gardens.
Geoff says, “Most gardens allow children in free and serve delicious home-made teas. All the monies we raise goes to nursing and caring charities, notably Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Carers Trust, Hospice Uk, The Queen’s Nursing Institute and Parkinson’s UK. Unfortunately, we have a cancellation this month, Whydown Manor, scheduled to open on the 2nd July is now no longer able to open. Check our website for a full list of all that’s on offer.”
Old Well Cottage, High Street, Angmering, Littlehampton, BN16 4AG
Friday 1st July, 10 am to 2 pm, entry £5
New for 2022, is this third of an acre plot featuring topiary, formal areas and perennial borders. The garden is framed within flint walls and surrounds the 16th – 18th century cottage and is beautifully situated within the Angmering Conservation Area. A splendid holm oak along with bay topiary trees, large espalier apple trees and a small kitchen garden complete the picture. The garden is full of purples, whites and pinks! On-road parking only – please be mindful of residents. Further free parking is available at the end of the High Street, just past the Spotted Cow pub, approx. 3 minutes walk.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/42976/old-well-cottage
Abbots Barn, Washington Road, Storrington, RH20 4AF
Sunday 10th July, 11 am to 5 pm, entry £6
Also new this year, this is a one-acre garden, backing on to Sandgate Park, incorporating part of the original kitchen garden wall. A newly created garden, it aims to attract wildlife with informal wild flowering slopes. Find drought-tolerant plants and grasses throughout the garden with lots of seating areas to sit and relax.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/43400/abbots-barn
Five Oaks Cottage, Petworth, RH20 1HD
Friday to Sunday 22nd to 24th July, 10 am to 4 pm, entry £5, pre-book tickets also available
Discover an acre of delicate jungle surrounding an Arts and Crafts style cottage with stunning views of the South Downs. This unconventional garden is designed to encourage maximum wildlife with a meadow brimming with knapweed and hogweed, set on clay, which attracts clouds of butterflies throughout July. There are two small ponds and lots of seating to enjoy refreshments.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/14137/five-oaks-cottage
33 Wivelsfield Road, Saltdean, Brighton, BN2 8FP
Saturday and Sunday 30th and 31st July, 11 am to 5 pm, entry £5
This is a fairly new garden that was cleared in 2016, landscaped during 2017 with planting begun later that year. It is split over three levels and is filled with colourful perennials, annuals, grasses, and succulents planted both in the ground and in containers. The formal garden leads onto a stunning wildflower meadow which extends right out onto the Downs, giving spectacular views of both the ocean and South Downs National Park.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/37309/33-wivelsfield-road
Westham & Stone Cross Trail, BN24 5DF
Saturday 16th July, midday to 5 pm, entry £5
More new gardens for 2022, are these two adjacent gardens at 19 and 21 Rattle Road. Both have lovely herbaceous borders, mature trees and shrubs. No. 19 is planted for wildlife with roses climbing through trees; No. 21 has a pergola, a new herbaceous border and a greenhouse. Nuthatch is less than a mile (27 St Michaels Close, Stone Cross BN24 5EU) away on the same road going west and is a small urban garden with a summerhouse and borders.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/43410/westham-stone-cross-trail
Hoopers Farm, Vale Road, Mayfield, TN20 6BD
Saturday and Sunday 30th and 31st July, 11 am to 5 pm, entry £5
Discover a large south-facing garden with colour-themed mixed herbaceous planting. Brimming with mature trees, flowering shrubs, a rose arbour, rock garden, secret garden and vegetable plot. Enjoy the newly planted area with lots of late-season colour developed from the existing sand school. Lovely views.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/23246/hoopers-farm
The Beeches, Church Road, Barcombe, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5TS
Sunday 24th July, 1 pm to 5 pm, entry £6
Herbaceous borders, a hot border and extensive lawns form the garden. A hazel walk is being developed along with a short woodland walk. An old ditch has been made into a flowing stream with gunnera, ferns, tree ferns, hostas and a few flowers going into a pond. In the beautiful 18th century walled garden discover a wide range of fruit and vegetables growing, including apples, pears, plums, lettuces, spinach, chard, pak choi, squash and pumpkins. There is a blueberry cage and also a brassica cage with kale, cavolo nero, sprouts, kalettes and cabbages. The two greenhouses produce many varieties of tomatoes, peppers and chillies, with basil, tomatillo, aubergines and cucumbers. Many different varieties of cut flowers are grown from seed.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/33158/the-beeches
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