Here we go again! It’s the time of the year when the early openers for the National Garden Scheme begin to open their garden gate for visitors to see beautiful snowdrops and hellebores. To get the 2026 season off to a roaring start, as always, Geoff Stonebanks, the Publicity Officer for the scheme in East & Mid Sussex, with some input from his colleague, Kate Harrison, in West Sussex, shares details with readers of the amazing gardens opening through the month of February in Sussex.
Just before that, however, Geoff shares some of the terrific results achieved by the charity, as published at the beginning of December 2025. Firstly, I’m delighted to announce that 2025 was yet another landmark year for the National Garden Scheme with a record £3.8 million donated from funds gathered at garden openings throughout the year. These donations helped thousands of people living with cancer, Parkinson’s, poor mental health, or the pressures of unpaid caring, by supporting the nurses, health professionals and case workers who care for them. Across East & Mid Sussex we have contributed £206K to that total this year and in West Sussex that figure was £174K, so a grand total of £380K across Sussex, £50K up on 2024, meaning Sussex is, once again, the highest-grossing county in the country. Thank you so much to all readers who visited our gardens last year.
Here are the gardens opening across Sussex through February with all the details and pre-booking access at www.ngs.org.uk
The Old Vicarage, The Street, Washington, RH20 4AS.
Every Thursday from 5 February to 1 October open 10 am to 4 pm with entry £10. Pre-booking essential.
A truly creative garden, nurtured over 35 years to become a visitor favourite. Spanning 3½ acres, it features formal topiary, seasonal borders, a contemporary water sculpture, an Italianate gazebo, specimen and mature trees, a Japanese garden with waterfall and tea house, a large copse with a stream, a stumpery and treehouse, and a kitchen garden with fruit trees. With 4000 tulips and bulbs planted annually, the garden also opens this month for snowdrops.
Pembury House, Ditchling Road, Clayton, BN6 9PH.
Every Thursday and Friday from 12 February to 6 March open 10.30 am to 3.30 pm with entry £12, inclusive of refreshments. Pre- booking essential with timed slots at 10.30 am & 2 pm.
Depending on the vagaries of the season, hellebores and snowdrops are at their best in February and March. It is a country garden, tidy but not manicured. New borders and features with winding paths giving a choice of walks through 3 acres of garden, which is in and enjoys views of the South Downs National Park. Suitable footwear, macs and winter woollies advised. Plants for sale. Cash only.
Manor of Dean, Tillington, Petworth, GU28 9AP.
Sunday 1 February open 2 pm to 4 pm with entry £6.
Approximately 3 acres of traditional English garden with extensive views of the South Downs. Herbaceous borders, early spring bulbs, bluebell woodland walk, walled kitchen garden with fruit, vegetables and cutting flowers. The garden is under a long-term programme of restoration, some parts of the garden may be affected.
5 Whitemans Close, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, RH17 5DE.
Monday 2nd, Wednesday 4, Tuesday 10, Thursday 12, Saturday 14, Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 February from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm with entry £9, inclusive of refreshments. Pre-booking essential, please phone 01444 473520 or email shirley.carmanmartin@ngs.org.uk
This garden shows that winter need not be dull as there is much to see and enjoy in its depths. Shirley has collected many single and double snowdrops, hellebores, bulbs and other winter treasures, some not widely known. As it is a sheltered garden, yes, there are flowers to enjoy in early February. Visit and see the enormous Daphne bholua that scents the garden for weeks on end at this time of year. Sorry, no WC.
Denmans Garden, Denmans Lane, Fontwell, BN18 0SU.
Monday 16 February open 9.30 am to 4 pm with entry £10 and children £8. Pre-booking essential, please phone 01243 278950, email office@denmans.org or visit www.denmans.org for information & booking.
Award-winning Grade II registered tranquil contemporary garden, created by gravel gardening pioneer Joyce Robinson and developed by renowned landscape designer John Brookes MBE. Known for its curvilinear layout and complex planting, features inc year-round colour, unusual plants, structure and fragrance in the gravel gardens, dry riverbeds, ponds, walled garden, and conservatory. Plant Nursery with specially selected and unusual shrubs, grasses, ferns, and herbaceous perennials. The Gift Shop has beautifully curated gifts and locally made products. Midpines Café serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea.
Highdown Gardens, 33 Highdown Rise, Littlehampton Road, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, BN12 6FB.
Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 February open 10 am to 4.30 pm with entry by donation.
Highdown Gardens were created by Sir Frederick Stern and are home to rare plants and trees, many grown from seed collected by Wilson, Farrer and Kingdon-Ward. A fully equipped glasshouse enables the propagation of this National Plant Collection. A visitor centre shares stories of the plants and people behind the gardens. An accessible path leads to a sensory garden with a secret sea view. Accessible top pathway and lift to visitor centre, see garden website accessibility page for full details.
Sandhill Farmhouse, Nyewood Road, Rogate, Petersfield, GU31 5HU.
Sunday 15 February open midday to 4 pm with entry £10.
The front and rear gardens are broken up into garden rooms, including a small kitchen garden. The front garden features a small woodland area planted with early spring flowering shrubs, ferns, and bulbs. There is also a white and green garden, a large leaf border, and a terraced area. The rear garden has rose borders, a small decorative vegetable garden, a red border, and a grasses border.
We hope you enjoy your visits and look out for the next update with March opening gardens. Full details on all gardens at www.ngs.org.uk. L
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