Sussex Gardens Vineyards Borde Hill West Dean Nymans Denmans Sheffield Park Nutbourne

Mid-Sussex Gardens & Vineyards

On the Western edge of the High Weald AONB in Mid-Sussex around Haywards Heath sit the glorious Sussex Weald Gardens many of which were created by acclaimed Victorian planters. Armed with exotic plants collected from far off locations such as China, Burma, The Andes and Tasmania, planters set about covering acres of the High Weald with this fascinating new flora. Today we can reap the rewards of these efforts as the Mid-Sussex Wealden gardens are soul stiring experiences - the perfumes and colours stay with you. Many of the gardens afford panoramic views of the stunning Sussex High Weald countryside. For quieter visting times in high summer and during popular springtime blooms choose weekdays rather than weekends for visits.

Each of the Mid-Sussex gardens has their own planter's story and history and many of the families sponsoring acclaimed Victorian planters vied with each other! Nymans Gardens was the great creation of the Messel family and their Head Gardeners, High Beeches, Leonardslee and Wakehurst Place Gardens by the Loder family and Borde Hill Garden by the Stephenson Clarkes. Today many are still maintained by families devoted to the heritage of these classic English gardens famous for the flowers which rose to fame during the Victorian era - the rhododendrons, azalea, magnolia and bluebells in Spring and the roses and wildflower meadows in Summer. The High Weald's acidic soil provided the perfect conditions for these seasonal blooms. As well as a choice of outstanding gardens two award winning wine estates are in the Mid-Sussex area - Bookers Vineyard at Bolney and Ridgeview Wine Estate at Ditchling Common.

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Sheffield Park & Petworth Park 'Capability' Brown Landscaped Gardens

Located just 1 mile from Sheffield Park Station on the Bluebell Railway Line is the spectacular Sheffield Park Garden owned by the National Trust. Many choose to walk from the station to the park.

The hand of genius landscape gardener 'Capability' Brown is visible around many a stately home in Britain. He is credited as England's greatest landscape gardener, and from the 1750s spawning the very unique style called 'English Landscape Garden'. Serpentine shaped lakes, a distinct feature of his style, are here at Sheffield Park Garden designed by 'Capability' Brown in the 18th century.

Around the four original lakes sit waterfalls and cascades, all year round colour including seasonal bluebells, rhododendrons and the special National Collection of Ghent azaleas. Sheffield Park also includes an overlaying of 20th century planting undertaken by owner Arthur G. Soames in the early 20th century. 'Capability' Brown also designed the gardens surrounding Petworth House in West Sussex.

Petworth Park covers a mammoth 700 acres and is again one of the great English Landscaper Lancelot Brown's most stunning creations. The deers within the park are the oldest herd of fallow deer in England! Capability Brown was at work on Petworth Park from 1751 to 1764 and you'll note his distinctive feature - the Serpentine lake within. The park blends seemlessly with the Downs beyond - a deliberate intention by Brown. On the lake the prominent sculpture of 'The Dog of Alcibiades' was commissioned by the 3rd Earl of Egremont as a memorial to his favourite hound who drowned in the lake. Note too the 17th century stone urns scatted about the park and you will certainly spot the graceful deer who still occasionally come right up to the house.

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West Dean Garden

West Dean Gardens situated to the north of Chichester is one of the Sussex region's most popular gardens across the Downs and Weald. Part of the Edward James Estate Charitable Trust, the gardens are now open all year round so you can enjoy the various gardens and Victorian glasshouses through all the changing seasons. Extensive stunning parkland with trails and an arboretum affording fine views across the Sussex Downs are also on-site.

Former owner of the West Dean Estate Edward James, who died in the 1980s, was a fervant patron of the arts particularly his personal favourite, surrealist art. He sponsored Salvador Dali for two years and you'll note the Surrealist Tree Sculptures within West Dean Gardens.

Both experienced planters and visitors completely new to gardens will feel at home here. Stunning features are an Edwardian Pagola, carefully restored Victorian Glasshouses and a Walled Kitchen Garden and Fruit Garden. Thousands of bulbs have been planted at West Dean to great effect in recent times so each season brings new colours and scenes which include Lilies, Crocus, Cyclamen, Narcissi and Scilla. New wildflower lawns are situated within the fruit garden created from local seeds.

West Dean Gardens, West Dean Chichester West Sussex PO18 0QZ. Tel. 01243 818210 for booking enquiries. Open daily from March to October 10.30am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) and from November to February Wednesday to Sundays from 10.30am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm). A licensed restaurant, gift and garden shop and visitor centre are all on-site.

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Denmans Garden at Fontwell

Charming and intimate Denmans Garden at Fontwell covers four acres and is home to some of the most delightful garden features in all the Sussex gardens. Denmans was originally the garden area of a country house.

Beautifully designed and with creative uses of gravel and statues, Denmans has real character and charm. Garden areas include a walled garden, a feature pond, a newly refurbished conservatory and the Garden Cafe, a gift shop and plant centre are all on-site.

Denmans Garden, Denmans Lane, Fontwell, West Sussex, BN18 0SU. Tel. 01243 542808. Denmans Garden is open all year round and daily (except 25th and 26th Dec and 1st Jan), with the Garden open from 9am to 5pm, Plant Centre 9am to 5pm and the Garden Cafe and Gift Shop from 10am to 5pm. The cafe was a Les Routiers cafe of the year in 2005.

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Sussex Seafront Gardens at Worthing & Eastbourne

Worthing's acclaimed ornamental park, Beach House Park, contains five international class flat bowling greens as well as a cafe and formal ornamental gardens. Three tennis courts and changing pavilions are also on-site. Well worth a stroll for viewing the stunning gardens or watching the bowls, the park also has two outdoor chess/draughts boards and is the perfect place to sit and relax. Worthing contains numerous garden spaces, many of which are well established including the stunning Denton Gardens east of the Pier containing an ornamental sunken garden, herbaceous border and raised terrace. Denton Gardens first opened in 1924 and as well as gardens you'll find a cafe, pavilion, a bowling and putting green and a pond here. Take a stroll along Worthing's promenade and admire various ornamental gardens along the way including Marine Gardens just over a mile west of the Pier.

Eastbourne Promenade is a picture poostcard affair featuring to the west of the pier the magnificent Floral Carpet Gardens and beyond the heritage art deco bandstand all looked over by majestic heritage Eastbourne Hotels. The carpet gardens change with the seasons and further seafront gardens sit around the Wish Tower also on the western seafront whilst to the east of the pier sits the Metropole Triangle Garden. The 1930s Bandstand plays host to a choice of concerts through the year.

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Nutbourne Vineyards near Pulborough

To the east of Pulborough is one of the great Sussex vineyards - Nutbourne. Vineyards were first planted here in 1980 and Nutbourne now consists of 18 acres of vines, situated around Nutbourne Manor, growing 7 types of grape. A range of dry English whites and Nutbourne's famous sparkling wine - Nutty are produced here. Entrance to the vineyards is free and as well as touring the vines, tasting is available in a historic windmill plus two picturesque lakes and a family of Llamas are here. Buy Nutbourne Wines from the Windmill Shop. Nutbourne is open from May to October from 2pm to 5pm.

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