Fairlight End: modern, wild and scenic in the Sussex Weald
Walk through the meadow, by the camassias and buttercups and listen to the birdsong. Brush past the clipped bushes and trees that populate the garden. Glimpse at the corten steel walls that slide through the planting. Then pause, breathe deeply, and take in the wide landscape views.
A closer look
Fairlight End is a nature style 21st century garden. It is modern, wild, scenic; set in the Sussex Weald yet only a mile from the sea. The garden is windswept, sloping and has great views out across the countryside. Near to the house, landscape architect Ian Kitson has designed a split level garden with sinuous corten steel wall, made in a local foundry. Meadow planting surrounds seating areas and an ancient cherry tree.
Informally clipped groups of hornbeam, hawthorn, holly, pines and yew are scattered through the garden, and provide presence in winter. Their shapes reflect those of hedgerows and tree canopies in the borrowed landscape.
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- All images: Robin Hutt
This much-admired garden has appeared on ITV’s ‘Love your Garden’ with Alan Titchmarsh, and BBC’s Gardener’s World’ with Joe Swift and featured in The English Garden, (July 2017) and Gardens Illustrated which 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.’
This a ‘must-visit’ for your garden wish list when restrictions are lifted. Find out more here
There’s more to discover on the garden’s website and Instagram
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