Hiding away in Bishopstone, just outside Seaford, is an extraordinary coastal garden and this summer, it has already been awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026 award, placing it in the top 10% of similar attractions worldwide. Passionate gardener, writer, broadcaster and plantsman is the inspiration, visionary and creator behind the garden, is Geoff Stonebanks.
Geoff has been working hard in recent years to change the look and feel of his garden to cope with the ever-present impact of climate change. Back in the autumn of 2021, he decided to make major changes in order to facilitate more space to display his existing drought-tolerant collection, along with many new additions. He opted to create a patio bounded by upturned railway sleepers that created the perfect backdrop for displaying some of his collection, along with the extended use of many geraniums, pelargoniums, eucomis, osteopermum and gazania. Potted palms and ferns greatly added to the mix.
A design trick much used by Geoff is to plant everything close together to make sure there’s no open ground that will dry out faster in the summer sun. The addition of water features and fountains around the plot also adds a cooling effect, no matter how hot and dry the weather gets. Beautiful displays are still possible by utilising succulents such as aeoniums, mangave, agave, sedums and sempervivums, all of which are great drought resistant plants with some lovely varieties available that equally attract bees and other pollinators. They are able to store water in their fleshy leaves and stems during wetter spells, and draw on that moisture when needed.
Part of Geoff’s overall plan, in making recent design changes, has been a drastic reduction in the number of containers utilised while still maintaining interesting structure and layout. Now, the continued challenge is being able to create interest from the use of sculpture or garden art and to create mini vistas or vignettes that catch visitors’ eyes as they wander around and are drawn in.
A fairly new addition that creates a real impact is a 5 feet tall stainless-steel fish, which takes centre stage in the gravel garden along with the large rusty anchor and lobster pot with Crambe Maritima growing through it. You can also meet a couple of vintage children’s toy horses, repurposed for the garden, one seen here with Geoff. You can read all about the garden and see how Geoff has developed it over the years, on the web site at www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk
This summer, you can book to visit the garden until 2 August, by contacting the owner, Geoff Stonebanks at visitdriftwood@gmail.com. What’s more, you can enjoy the work of seven Sussex artists’ displayed for sale and sample Geoff’s delicious home-made cakes along with tea or coffee all served on vintage china in the garden. A visit not to be missed and rumour has it, Geoff is a great host too. Visitors can opt to hear a talk about the garden’s creation by Geoff too.
National Garden Scheme entry £7. Optional Talk £3. BBC Gardeners’ World entry 2 for £10, including talk. Geoff’s home-made cakes £3.50 per slice and beverages £2.50 each for a pot.
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