Geoff Stonebanks, Publicity Officer for the National Garden Scheme in East & Mid Sussex says: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed updating you, each month, on the selection of gardens available to visit through the scheme across Sussex. Sadly, this update will be the final one for 2022 as we have no gardens to visit through November, December and most of January. If you need your regular gardening fix, don’t despair, as I will be starting again in the New Year, writing about some of our early-openers with amazing displays of snowdrops and hellebores.”
Meanwhile here are a few autumn gardens to visit in October.
The Old Vicarage, The Street, Washington, RH20 4AS
Thursdays 6th & 13th October 10.30 am to 4 pm, entry £7. Pre-book only.
Beautiful 3½ acres of gardens set around an 1832 Regency house (not open). The front is formally laid out with topiary, a wide lawn, mixed border and contemporary water sculpture. The rear features new and mature trees from C19, herbaceous borders, a water garden and stunning uninterrupted views of the North Downs. The Japanese garden with a waterfall and pond leads to a large copse, stream, treehouse and stumpery.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/21793/the-old-vicarage
Denmans Garden, Denmans Lane, Fontwell, BN18 0SU
Saturday 29th October, 10 am to 4 pm, entry £9 or £7 per child. Pre-book only.
Created by Joyce Robinson, a brilliant pioneer in gravel gardening and former home of influential landscape designer, John Brookes MBE. Denmans is a Grade II listed post-war garden renowned for its curvilinear layout and complex plantings. Enjoy year-round colour, unusual plants, structure and fragrance in the gravel gardens, faux riverbeds, intimate walled garden, ponds and conservatory.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/5576/denmans-garden
Peelers Retreat, 70 Ford Road, Arundel, BN18 9EX
Tuesdays 4th & 11th October, 2-5 pm, entry £5.
Stunning garden and gift shop with imaginative woodland sculptures and a flare for the unusual. This inspirational space is a delight in which to sit and relax, enjoying delicious teas. See interlocking beds packed with year-round colour and scent, shaded by specimen trees, pebbled stream and fish pond.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/23227/peelers-retreat
High Beeches Woodland and Water Garden, High Beeches Lane, Handcross, Haywards Heath, RH17 6HQ
Sunday 2nd October, 1-5 pm, entry £9.
Visit 25 acres of enchanting landscaped woodland and water gardens with many rare and beautiful plants, an ancient wildflower meadow and glorious autumn colours. Why not take your own picnic to enjoy? The garden is home to the National Collection of Stewartias.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/7305/high-beeches-woodland-and-water-garden
We sincerely hope you have enjoyed reading about the gardens to visit and have managed to get to see some. Do remember that all the monies we raise through our open gardens go to nursing and caring charities, notably, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queens Nursing Institute, and Parkinson’s UK. You can donate via the NGS website.
Our snowdrop and hellebore gardens will begin to open in late January or early February, watch this space!
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