A largely level 1 acre garden incorporating the ornamental and the edible. Offers riot of colour and scent over many months, especially early summer with large and rampant mixed borders, many scented roses, small mixed orchard, wildflower meadow, fruit cage and vegetable garden, shade, cottage and white borders, wildlife pond and bog garden. Pretty Victorian style greenhouse.
Small (100ft x 52ft) Japanese inspired front and back garden. Full of interesting planting with many acers, azaleas and bamboos. Over 100 different hostas, many miniature ones. Also, an attractive Japanese Tea House and courtyard with fish pond. New Japanese bridge and pond in lower garden.
Three quite different adjacent gardens on an easy walking trail. Winterfield is a long established plantsman’s garden full of uncommon shrubs and trees, herbaceous borders, pond and wildlife area. Stumlet has evolved from being a ‘work in progress’ garden to an amazing, restful and special space. There are places to sit and enjoy a little peace, scent and colour plus the interesting planting. The Coppice is a garden to watch develop over the coming yrs as it changes from a newly designed and part planted area to a completed inspirational one. The areas close to the house are planted and indicate the promise that is to come.
9 acre garden set in rural countryside. Extensive lawns and shrub beds merge with the more naturalistic woodland garden set around the lake. An orchard, vegetable garden, ponds and a wide variety of plant species add to an interesting and very tranquil garden.
Tranquil and picturesque, Borde Hill has been planted with passion by five generations of the Stephenson Clarke family. With rare and fine rhododendrons, magnolias, rose borders and champion trees, exploring the thirteen outdoor rooms is like travelling around the world in one garden.
A 4 acre garden started 24 yrs ago; stunning views, remarkable brick and stone follies, colourful mixed beds with alstroemeria and roses. Pine rockery surrounds pond. Topiary garden, pinetum, and a rhododendron and azalea walk leads to a planted parterre. Fruit and vegetables in cages.
A secluded, award-winning, 75’ x 65’ garden with glorious early summer colour from an abundance of old roses, perennials, mixed beds and diverse planting. There is a small pond and areas for plants that love shade or sun. Special plants inc Abutilon and Euphorbia mellifera that enjoy the relatively mild microclimate of a below-street level space very close to the south coast.
A ¾ acre garden, which began in 1994, has developed each yr. It was once a former prep-school playing field and a neglected garden. Now, features inc lawns with herbaceous beds, mature and unusual trees, shrubs, formal beds around pond, rockery, fruit trees and soft fruit area.
A beautiful informal garden, developed rather than planned, surrounds the house (not open). It has different rooms and hidey holes and well-stocked borders, water features and Gaudi inspired steps. Significant trees surround the garden inc a large eucalyptus snow gum which provides a central feature. Lots of nooks and crannies to be explored.
This iconic garden at Coastguard Cottages overlooking the Seven Sisters will be known to many from a distance, but this garden is rarely seen. Nestled on the cliff top in the South Downs National Park with sea views. Planted with native plants and spring bulbs in April and poppies, herbs and acanthus in June it is a perfect setting for the owners sculpture and pottery display. An embryonic vegetable plot and beehives contribute to attracting wildlife to the garden. Note steep cliff drop, children to be supervised at all times.
Cupani is a tranquil haven with a delightful mix of trees, shrubs and perennial border. Courtyard garden, gazebo, summerhouse, water features, sweet pea obelisks and a huge range of plants. See TripAdvisor reviews. The garden has undergone major renovations in 2023/2024 and now inc a gravel garden, some more tropical planting and the old cutting garden has been replaced with planted troughs.
On BBC Gardeners’ World in 2024 Monty Don said ‘when it comes to growing conditions, I don’t think you will find any garden in the land that is more different to Longmeadow than that belonging to Geoff Stonebanks’. The Sunday Times 2024 feature on age-proofing said ‘visit this rejigged award-winning plot now opened up so the lush and varied plantings and theatrical vignettes are easier to appreciate’.
Gardens Illustrated said ‘The 18th century house is at the highest point in the garden with views down the slope over abundant borders and velvety lawns that are punctuated by clusters of specimen trees and shrubs. Beyond and below are the wildflower meadows and the ponds with a backdrop of the gloriously unspoilt Wealden landscape’.
A restored stunning garden in East Sussex. The formal gardens extend over 9 acres and surround the Victorian Gothic mansion (not open). Features semitropical woodland avenues, a huge contemporary walled garden with amphitheatre and two 110 metre perennial borders above and below ha-ha with far-reaching views across Rye Bay.
Designed as different themed rooms for sculpture, Farleys garden presents our permanent collection of works chosen by photographer Lee Miller and surrealist artist Roland Penrose alongside works by contemporary guest sculptors. Over the yrs, giants, goddesses, mythical creatures and Roland’s own work has populated the garden in the company of work by their artist friends.
One of Brighton’s secret gardens. We aim to provide year-round interest with trees, shrubs, herbaceous borders and annuals, fruit and vegetables, two glasshouses, a pond and rockery. 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.
Nine gardens are opening in the delightful Sussex village of Hellingly. There is a pretty walled cottage garden with summerhouse and sunny terrace. A garden entered via a bridge over a large pond, perfect for wildlife with countryside views, and two cottage gardens overlooking the C12 Church of St Peter and St Paul. Another two gardens are in the heart of the village, one with a rose-filled front garden where the plant sale will be, and next door is an extensive garden still in development with beautiful trees and roses, and ice-creams for sale. On the other side of the village, a unique garden where lunches and teas will be served, incorporates the River Cuckmere, a sluice gate and a lush mix of perennials and mature trees. On the outskirts, an inspiring new-build garden has areas for sun, shade, climbers, and fruit trees, amid sounds of trickling water.
The Herstmonceux Castle Estate has formal gardens, woodland trails, meadows and lakes set around a majestic C15 moated castle. The gardens and grounds first opened for the NGS in 1927.
An acre of English garden providing views and cameos of plants and trees round every corner with many different areas giving constant interest. A fish pond and a wildlife pond beside a grassy area with many shrubs and flower beds. Among the trees and winding paths there is a cottage garden which is a profusion of colour and peace.
Large south facing garden with informal flowing layout. Colour themed island beds with mixed herbaceous and seasonal annual planting. Mature trees, flowering shrubs, rose beds, rose arbour, rock garden, secret garden and vegetable plot. Gravel paths lead through a richly planted area with lots of late season colour. Lawn conversion to wildflower meadow now in 3rd yr. Meadow walk to wildlife pond.
Garden developed alongside the nursery, a romantic pond garden, gravel garden, long border, meadows and cutting garden. A garden of wild flowers and full of ideas.
1 acre country house garden set amongst traditional farm buildings with stunning views over the Sussex countryside. Series of borders around the house and Oast House (not open). Lawns and mixed herbaceous borders inc roses and delphiniums. A ha-ha separates the garden from the fields and sheep. The garden adjoins a working farm.
Mature landscaped garden set in 5 acres of tranquil countryside surrounding Georgian house (not open). Several garden rooms, spectacular herbaceous borders planted in contemporary style. Lots of all round colour with grasses and some magnificent specimen trees; also partly walled garden.
Legsheath was first mentioned in Duchy of Lancaster records in 1545. It was associated with the role of Master of the Ashdown Forest. Set high 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 Abutilon.
The garden was designed in the 1930s when the house was owned by Charles Stewart Taylor, MP for Eastbourne. It has not changed in basic layout since then. The planting aims to reflect the age of the C17 property (not open) and original garden design. The house and garden are mentioned in Virginia Woolf’s diaries of 1929, depicting a particular charm and peace that still exists today.
Mayfield is a beautiful Wealden village with tearooms, an old pub and many interesting historical connections. The gardens to visit are all within walking distance of the village centre. They vary in size and style with a wide range of shrubs, herbaceous and annual planting and inc wildflower meadows, wildlife ponds, fruit and vegetable plots and a childrens’ play area. There are far-reaching, panoramic views over the beautiful High Weald.
3 acre wild woodland garden with bluebell lined walkways through exceptional rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and other flowering shrubs. Fine trees and outstanding views. Stunning paved herb garden.
A 1 acre garden in an idyllic High Weald setting with a beautiful view. Year-round interest, with highlights in spring and late summer/autumn. In April, over 4000 tulips and other spring bulbs bloom, while later in summer, dahlias, salvias, grasses, and asters are interplanted with colourful annuals. ½ acre wildflower meadow with old roses and orchard.
A hidden oasis behind an ancient flint wall. Informal and tranquil, ½ acre chalk garden with sunny and shaded places to sit. Use of architectural and unusual trees. Rhododendrons, azaleas and acers in raised beds. Garden evolved over 20 yrs, maintained by owners. Georgian house (not open), former home of Mabel Lucie Attwell.
Romantic garden with fountains, flowering trees, arboretum, double herbaceous border and long peony bed. 1676 Queen Anne house (not open) with well knapped flint facade. Herb garden and walled kitchen garden with glasshouses, cold frames, chickens, sheep and ducks. A selection of pelargoniums and other plants for sale.
Mature 1½ acre plantaholic’s garden with a large variety of trees and shrubs, perennials and bulbs, many unusual. Gardened organically. Mainly colour themed beds, planted informally. Small woodland, meadow and deep pond to encourage wildlife. Kitchen garden with raised beds. Hardy Plant Society member.
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 work always going on. Winding paths give 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. A German visitor observed ‘this is the perfect woodland garden’. Year-round interest.
C15 timber framed farmhouse with cottage garden on acid clay. Large collection of culinary and medicinal herbs in a small formal herb garden and mixed with perennials and shrubs in exuberant borders. Long established yew topiary and espalier apple trees provide structural elements. Traditional fernery and stumpery, recently enlarged with a small, secluded shrubbery and gravel garden.
Six gardens open on the 1 June and five gardens open on the 6 July, see dates for each garden. Cosy Cottage, a garden over three levels with ponds, flowers, vegetables, and shrubs. Madehurst, a garden on different levels with mature planting. 5 Clementine Avenue, a garden over several levels with agave and succulents and great views over the downs. 101 Clementine Avenue, newly developing garden beautifully planted to attract wildlife, wide selection of hardy perennials, ferns, and hostas. 129 Princess Drive, new in 2025, inc ponds, small woodland area, herbaceous borders, covered seating area and colourful seasonal pots. Whitehouse, new in 2025, a large garden and main tea venue for the trail. Mature trees, herbaceous borders, gravel garden, herb bed, fruit cage, raised vegetable plot, plus wild area with apple trees.
Eight gardens open on 22 June and six gardens open on 13 July, see dates for each garden. Burford, a garden surrounded by mature trees, beds with a variety of herbaceous perennials inc iris. Vegetables, and an auricula theatre. 34 Chyngton Road, a mature garden, naturalistic planting, and colourful themed herbaceous borders. Fruit and vegetable area. Cupani, see individual entry. 8 Downs Road is a well-planted front garden that leads to a back garden with beautifully planted deep beds and large drifts of herbaceous perennials. Lawn, pond, vegetables, and shrubbery. Lavender Cottage, a flint walled garden with cottage, coastal and kitchen beds. Climb steps and enjoy views of Seaford Head. Relaxed planting to attract wildlife. Seaford Allotments has 189 plots with a wide range of planting and 100 yrs of cultivation. Wildlife meadow. Seaford Community Garden has a delightful walled garden with polytunnel, vegetable, flower beds and a pond. New for 2025, 53 Southdown Road, with a wrap-around maturing garden. Climbers, mature trees, and shrubs. Beds of perennial and annuals provide colour throughout.
Magnificent, landscaped garden laid out in C18 by Capability Brown and Humphry Repton covering 120 acres (40 hectares). Further development in the early yrs of this century by its owner Arthur G Soames. Centrepiece is original lakes with many rare trees and shrubs. Beautiful at all times of the yr, but noted for its spring and autumn colours. National Collection of Ghent azaleas.
250ft south facing rear garden on a sloping site with fantastic views of the South Downs and the sea. Garden created by owners over past 12 yrs. Orchard, flower beds, wildlife ponds and planting with bees and wildlife in mind.
A relatively new garden created almost from scratch five seasons ago. Adjacent to the South Downs National Park it is primarily a coastal chalk garden with wonderful downland views to the sea beyond. The planting reflects the location with an emphasis on colour and leaf form to create floral displays, which are showcased against a backdrop of subtropical plants and sculptural forms.
An opportunity to visit two unique gardens and discover the Brede Steam Giants 35ft Edwardian water pumping engines, and Grade II listed pump house located behind 4 Waterworks Cottages. Garden designer Kristina Clode has created her wildlife friendly garden at 4 Waterworks Cottages over the last 15 yrs. Delightful perennial wildflower meadow, pond, wisteria covered pergola and mixed borders packed full of unusual specimens with year-round interest and colour. Sculdown’s garden is dominated by a very large wildlife pond formed as a result of iron-ore mining over 100 yrs ago. The stunning traditional cottage (not open) provides a superb backdrop for several colourful herbaceous borders and poplar trees.
Winchelsea continues to recruit fresh horticultural skills with yet more new gardens joining the group this yr. We offer secret walled gardens, roses, herbaceous borders and more. Nine gardens will open in the beautiful setting of the Cinque Port of Winchelsea.
The garden, created in 2016, landscaped during 2017 and planting started later that yr. Split over three levels filled with colourful perennials, annuals, grasses, and succulents planted in the ground and in containers. The formal garden leads onto a wildflower meadow extending onto the downs, giving spectacular views of both the ocean and South Downs National Park. Front garden revamped in 2023.
6 acre garden in Ashdown Forest, AONB, much of it mixed woodland. Perimeter walk all around property. Delightful and tranquil setting with plenty of space to roam, and various aspects of interest providing sensory and a relaxing visit. Ideal for forest bathing! Lovely stonework, specimen trees, three ponds, herbaceous borders, exotic bed, greenhouse and always something new on the go!
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