Skip to content
Menu

Bates Green Garden

This plantswoman’s tranquil garden provides interest through the seasons. Woodland garden created around a majestic oak tree. Colour themed middle garden. Courtyard gardens with seasonal container displays. Front garden a spring and autumn joy with narcissi, primroses, violets then coloured stems and leaves of cornus and salix. Wildlife pond and wildflower meadow. Gardened for nature and wildlife.

Owner Info

Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden
Bates Green Garden

About Bates Green Garden

This naturalistic garden has been owned by the McCutchan family since 1921 and was developed and skillfully planted by Carolyn McCutchan when she moved to the property in 1968. The garden was renowned for its colourful imaginative planting and Bates Green Garden was featured in many magazine articles. Since Carolyn’s death in 2019, the garden has been undergoing a period of restoration by a small team of gardeners led by Emma Reece who was a student of Carolyn’s in 2002.

The garden surrounds the farmhouse, which was originally a small gamekeeper’s cottage. The soil is neutral pH heavy Weald clay much improved with homemade compost. The garden has very distinct areas, which enable plants from different ecological conditions to thrive including a small pond to encourage wildlife.

In the Woodland Garden spring bulbs abound followed by herbaceous woodlanders and hardy cyclamen. In the more formal shaped Middle Garden colour is the main theme, starting with tulips and alliums, and then herbaceous and woody plants take over until the asters and dahlias shine out in autumn. The Winter Garden is positioned so that the low rays of sun make the most of the coloured leaves and stems of the many cornus, with bulbs and plants grown for interest from spring through to autumn. Other beds flow with a good mixture of grasses and all manner of exciting plants to give colour, texture and movement. Autumn tones are provided in abundance by the many mature trees and shrubs within the Garden and around the farmhouse.

Bates Green Garden is in a tranquil setting, surrounded by pastures grazed by sheep with views of the South Downs. The 6-acre Wildflower Meadow contains a wealth of flora and fauna. It is traditionally managed with mown paths and seating for visitors. Beatons Wood is an ancient 24-acre oak and hornbeam wood which has been home to the Arlington Bluebell Walk for the past 51 years. Spring visitors will enjoy the wild daffodil glade, whilst autumn walkers can hunt for the many species of fungi present in the woods. The garden is managed with wildlife in mind and is naturalistic with a relaxed feel. Refreshments in aid of a local charity.

Picnics allowed in Barn and in designated picnic areas but not in garden.

For other opening times please visit the garden website: www.batesgreengarden.co.uk

Some images courtesy of John Glover.
.

Website:

https://www.batesgreengarden.co.uk

Bates Green Garden features

Location details

Bates Green Garden,
Arlington,
East Sussex,
BN26 6SH

Directions to Bates Green Garden
Midway between the A22 & A27, 2m S of Michelham Priory. Bates Green is in Tye Hill Rd (N of Arlington village), 350yds S of Old Oak Inn. Ample parking on hard-standing verges.

Bates Green Garden openings

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made soup, cakes & scones plus light lunches in large insulated Bluebell Barn. Refreshments in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Admission Adult: £7.00
Child: £3.50
Opening times 10:30-15:30

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made soup, cakes & scones plus light lunches in large insulated Bluebell Barn. Refreshments in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Admission Adult: £7.00
Child: £3.50
Opening times 10:30-15:30

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access to most areas. Mobility scooters to borrow free of charge. Accessible WC.
  • Share this garden

Other Gardens of Potential Interest

Shambles image
Shambles

A moderately sized and newly designed garden of 3 yrs in the making. Planting favours wildlife, with a stumpery and small wildlife pond to encourage...

Read more
408 Falmer Road image
408 Falmer Road

A quirky ¼ acre garden that sits between the South Downs and the sea. Jam packed with trees, a huge range of shrubs, a colourful palette of...

Read more
Airlie Cottage image
Airlie Cottage

The sloping west facing garden at Airlie Cottage enjoys spectacular views from a new terrace. In 2017 the current owners inherited a totally...

Read more
White Cottage image
White Cottage

White Cottage has an enclosed courtyard garden. There is a small lawn and some paved areas. The beds are slightly raised, mainly comprising cottage...

Read more
1 St Giles Close image
1 St Giles Close

This charming garden has very informal planting, providing colour throughout the yr. There are several mixed borders with colourful herbaceous...

Read more
Portobello image
Portobello

The garden was created in 2000 by the current owners. The site is adjacent to the ancient St Giles Church. The garden has historical interest dating...

Read more
2 Mariteau House image
2 Mariteau House

A sunny garden with plentiful shrubs and trees. Designed on three levels with an upper terrace for seating and then two lower paved areas surrounding...

Read more
Flitterbrook Flower Farm image
Flitterbrook Flower Farm

Flitterbrook Flower Farm started 7 yrs ago in my garden at home which is funnily enough down Flitterbrook Lane, Rushlake Green. I outgrew our garden...

Read more

Don’t miss out

Sign up to our weekly newsletter to hear more about the gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme, events and activities throughout the year

Sign up to our newsletter

FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Bates Green Garden. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Bates Green Garden, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Bates Green Garden are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. Bates Green Garden seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.