Spring is well and truly upon us and more and more beautiful gardens are beginning to open their gates for visitors, through the National Garden Scheme. This month Geoff Stonebanks, the East & Mid Sussex Publicity Officer for the scheme, in conjunction with his West Sussex colleague Kate Harrison, outlines some of the stunning gardens to visit throughout May. After months of greyness and rain why not check out these wonderful gardens around the county as places to enjoy a day out filled with tulips and spring blossom.
Legsheath Farm, Legsheath Lane, near Forest Row, RH19 4JN
Sunday 19th May from 2 pm to 4.30 pm with entry £5.
Legsheath was first mentioned in the Duchy of Lancaster records way back in 1545. It was associated with the role of Master of the Ashdown Forest. The garden is set high up in the Weald, with far-reaching views of East Grinstead and Weirwood Reservoir. The garden covers 11 acres with a spring fed stream feeding ponds. There is a magnificent davidia, rare shrubs, embothrium and many different varieties of meconopsis and abutilons.
Cupani, 8 Sandgate Close, Seaford, BN25 3LL
Wednesday 22nd May from 1.30 pm to 5 pm. Combined entry, including home-made teas, with Lavender Cottage (below) £12, child £5. Pre-booking essential by calling 01323 899452 or email sweetpeasa52@gmail.
Cupani is a tranquil haven with a delightful mix of trees, shrubs and perennial borders. There is a courtyard garden, gazebo, summerhouse, water features, sweet pea obelisks and a huge range of plants. The garden underwent major renovations in 2023/2024 and now includes a gravel garden, some more tropical planting and the old cutting garden has been replaced with planted troughs.
Lavender Cottage, Steyne Road, Seaford, BN25 1QH
Contact details and opening as Cupani above.
A pretty flint walled front garden with cottage, coastal and kitchen gardens. The back garden has a terraced bank planted with trees, shrubs and lavenders. Climb the steps to the balcony and enjoy an iconic view of Seaford Head. All the rockeries and gardens contain varied planting throughout the year. Driftwood sculptures situated around both front and back gardens and quirky features are hidden amongst plantings.
Hollymount, Burnt Oak Road, High Hurstwood, Uckfield, TN22 4AE
Sunday 26th May from midday to 5 pm with entry £7.
A new 7 acre garden set on a sloping hillside. There are four large ponds, a stream, waterfalls, terraced beds, interesting planting, some tropical, large rhododendrons, wildlife; alpacas, pigs, chickens, ducks, and fish. The garden has a great variety of trees, two greenhouses, a shepherd’s hut, summerhouse, paths, kitchen garden, many decks and wildflower terracing to the rear. This is a very peaceful setting with great views.
The Cottage, Potts Lane, Pulborough, RH20 2BT
Saturday 18th May from 10 am to 6 pm with entry £6. Pre-booking here is essential.
New for 2024, this is a quintessential English cottage garden, jam packed with a mix of perennials and bulbs on a potentially challenging multi layered site. The garden comprises four distinct rooms including a small roof terrace, a top terrace sitting above the house garden and a vegetable garden built in what was a small swimming pool. This is not a huge garden, however every square inch has been used!
9 Puttock Way, Billingshurst, RH14 9ZJ
Sunday 26th and Monday 27th May from 11 am to 4 pm with entry £5. Pre-booking is essential here.
Also new for 2024, see a very small, sloping, new build garden which has been transformed from bare heavy clay into a series of spaces with interesting hard landscaping features. An unexpected cacophony of architectural shapes and textures greets you as you walk through the gate, a true plant lover’s paradise. This space shows what can be achieved in a short space of time through hard work and passion.
Bumble Farm, Drungewick Lane, Loxwood, Billingshurst, RH14 0RS
Friday 31st May from midday to 5 pm with entry £6.
This delightful large country garden is also new for 2024. It has been passionately and imaginatively created by the enthusiastic owner over the past 20 years. It is an interesting garden with a series of circular lawns surrounded by borders, full of mass drift, repeat planting of harmonious perennials, roses, shrubs, and more. A newly developed white garden, wisteria pergola, kitchen and cutting garden, fountains and various seating areas.
In addition to the gardens that are scheduled to open on specific dates there are many also opening by arrangement only, some you may like to arrange to visit are shown below with full contact details on how to book your own visit on the scheme’s web site www.ngs.org.uk or in the Sussex booklet.
The Beeches in Barcombe, Berlas in Midhurst, Brickyard Farm Cottage in Hooe near Battle, Brightling Down Farm in Dallington, Collwood House in Warninglid, Dale Park House in Arundel, Durrance Manor in Shipley, Fairlight End in Pett, Findon Place in Worthing, Holly House in Chelwood Gate, Luctons in West Hoathly, Meadow Farm and Old Cross Street Farm, both in Pulborough, Old Erringham Cottage in Shoreham by Sea, Shepherds Cottage near Chichester or finally Wych Warren House near Forest Row.
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