As the Summer draws to a close and we hit Autumn the number of gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme start to decline, so this is the final update for 2026. Here is our regular monthly round up of the beautiful gardens opening through the month across Sussex, as curated by their Publicity Officer in East & Mid Sussex, Geoff Stonebanks, with some input from his colleague in West Sussex, Kate Harrison. As always, full details on the the gardens listed can be found at www.ngs.org.uk and children are allowed free unless a charge is specified.
Kotamaki, Tottingworth Park, Broad Oak, Heathfield, TN21 8UH.
Saturday 3rd from 10am to midday with entry £12 and children £6, inclusive of refreshments. Pre booked tickets only.
The owners will provide a talk about the garden at 10:30am. Large, creatively planted gardens featuring a long double border enclosed by yew hedging, along with a rockery, shade garden, exotic garden, pot garden, wildflower meadows and a kitchen garden. There is an emphasis on continuity of interest through imaginative mixed plantings of shrubs, climbers, perennials, bulbs, annuals, and self-sowers. The garden also includes a varied collection of wisterias, trained as shrubs, on trellis work and on a pergola.
The Old Vicarage, The Street, Washington, RH20 4AS.
Thursday 1st from 10am to 4pm with entry £10. Pre booked tickets only.
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.
Bates Green Garden, Tye Hill Road, Arlington, BN26 6SH.
Sunday 4th from 10.30am to 4.30pm with entry £8 and children £4.
This plantswoman’s tranquil garden provides interest through the seasons. Wander through the woodland garden created around a majestic oak tree. See the colour themed middle garden and courtyard gardens with seasonal container displays. The front garden is an autumn joy with coloured stems and leaves of cornus and salix. Pass the wildlife pond and wildflower meadow. Beatons Wood is managed for conservation and diversity and autumn guests can enjoy spotting the abundant fungi within.
Denmans Garden, Denmans Lane, Fontwell, BN18 0SU.
Monday 26th from 9.30am to 4pm with entry £10 and children £8. Pre booked tickets only.
Please phone 01243 278950, email office@denmans.org or visit www.denmans.org for information & booking.
Visit this 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 including 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.
There are still several gardens you can visit by arrangement before the end of the year:
- The Old Manor, The Street, Nutborne, RH20 2HE, until 30th October.
- Legsheath Farm, Legsheath Lane, RH16 4JN until November.
- South Grange in Quickbourne Lane, Northiam TN31 6QY until 18th October.
- Mitchmere Farm, Stoughton PO18 9JW until 31st October. (Pictured)
- Butlers Farmhouse, Butlers lane, Herstmonceux, BN27 1QH until 26th October.
- The Garden House, 5 Warleigh Road, Brighton, BN1 4NT until 31st October.
For full details on all gardens listed, please check the website, www.ngs.org.uk. Look out for next feature, in the New Year, when the National Garden Scheme will be celebrating 100 years, 1927 to 2027.
The next National Garden Scheme update will be in January.
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