As winter slowly starts to retreat and spring gets underway, here is our regular monthly round-up of the beautiful gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme in March across Sussex. 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 can be found at www.ngs.org.uk and children are allowed free unless a charge is specified.
King John’s Nursery, Sheepstreet Lane, Etchingham, TN19 7AZ.
Saturday 21st March from 10 am to 5 pm with entry £5.
The garden has developed alongside the nursery, including a romantic pond garden, a gravel garden, a long border, meadows and a cutting garden. Enjoy this garden of wild flowers, full of ideas.
Nymans, Staplefield Road, Handcross, RH17 6EB.
Saturday 21st March from 10 am to 5 pm with entry £23 and here, children pay £11.50.
This is one of the National Trust’s premier gardens with rare and unusual plant collections of national significance. In spring, see blossom, bulbs and a stunning collection of subtly fragranced magnolias. The comfortable yet elegant house, a partial ruin, reflects the personalities of the creative Messel family.
The Old Vicarage, The Street, Washington, RH20 4AS.
Every Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm. Pre-booking essential with entry £10.
This truly creative garden, nurtured over 35 years to become a visitor favourite, spans 3½ acres and features formal topiary, seasonal borders, a contemporary water sculpture, an Italianate gazebo, specimen and mature trees. With 4000 tulips and bulbs planted annually, it makes a real statement.
Pembury House, Ditchling Road, Clayton, BN6 9PH.
Thursday 5th and Friday 6th. Pre-booking essential for timed slots at 10.30 am & 2 pm with entry £12 inclusive of refreshments.
Depending on the vagaries of the season, hellebores are at their best in March. It is a country garden, tidy but not manicured. New borders and features with winding paths give a choice of walks through 3 acres of garden, which is in and enjoys views of the South Downs National Park.
Bates Green Garden, Tye Hill Road, Arlington, BN26 6SH.
Sunday 22nd from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm with entry £8 and children £4.
Home-made soup, cakes, scones, and light lunches will be available in the large insulated Bluebell Barn. This plantswoman’s tranquil garden provides interest through the seasons. The woodland garden, created around a majestic oak tree, the colour themed middle garden, courtyard gardens with seasonal container displays will all be on show. The front garden is a spring joy with narcissi and primroses. See the wildlife pond and wildflower meadow too.
Manor of Dean, Tillington, Petworth, GU28 9AP.
Sunday 22nd from 2 pm to 5 pm with entry £6.
See 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.
47 Denman’s Lane, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, RH16 2JN.
Sunday 22nd from 11 am to 4 pm with entry £7.
This beautiful and tranquil 1 acre garden was described by Sussex Life as ‘a garden where plants star’. Created by the owners over the past 20 years, it is planted for interest throughout the year. Spring bulbs are followed by azaleas, rhododendrons, roses, and herbaceous perennials. The garden also has ponds, vegetable and fruit gardens. An extensive choice of plants and home-made jams for sale.
Butlers Farmhouse, Butlers Lane, Herstmonceux, BN27 1QH.
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th from 2 pm to 5 pm with entry £5.
‘Quirky and fun’ are two words that pop up in visitors’ comments so why not go along and see this 1-acre country garden for yourself? Enjoy the secret jungle garden, Cornish-inspired beach corners, rainbow border and the poison garden, all set around a 16th century farmhouse in 6 acres of rural Sussex with the South Downs in the distance. The garden is pretty in the spring, awash with primroses and violets.
The Garden House, 5 Warleigh Road, Brighton, BN1 4NT.
Friday 27th and Sunday 29th from midday to 6 pm and entry £6.
One of Brighton’s secret gardens the venue aims to provide year-round interest with trees, shrubs, herbaceous borders and annuals. Plentiful supply of fruit and vegetables, two glasshouses, a pond and rockery as well. A friendly garden, always changing with a touch of magic to delight visitors, above all it is a slice of the country in the midst of a bustling city.
Down Place, Hill Lane, South Harting, near Petersfield, GU31 5PN.
Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm with entry £6.
Set high in the South Downs with sweeping views of rolling woodland, this garden blends beautifully into its natural surroundings. Rose and herbaceous borders contour the slopes, while a productive vegetable garden and shaded beech walks lead to a vibrant wildflower meadow. In spring, it bursts with wild daffodils and cowslips.
Penns In The Rocks, Groombridge, TN3 9PA.
Sunday 29th from 2 pm to 6 pm with entry £7.50, Cash only on the day please.
This is a large garden with a spectacular outcrop of rocks, 140 million years old. The grounds include a lake, 18th and 2oth century temples and woods to roam through. Daffodils, bluebells, azaleas, and magnolias will be on show too. Wander through the old walled garden with herbaceous borders, roses, and shrubs. Check out the 1928 pool and pretty pond gardens too.
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