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Bexhill-on-Sea Trail:

This beautiful trail evolves every year. The gardens vary in size and feature well-designed borders with specimen plants, shrubs, and trees. Most have ponds with wildlife and fish, as well as vegetable beds and fruit trees. One garden has beautiful sculptures and a Gothic folly while another has a modern designed front garden with a rill. Chickens can also be seen at Chez Nous. There is a mix of town, country, cottage, and coastal styles, with a wide variety of trees, roses, and mixed planting, all focused on attracting wildlife and offering excellent ideas for your own garden. 1 Stowe Drive and Chez Nous will offer refreshments. Some gardens will be selling a variety of plants, and artwork will be for sale at Chez Nous. Enjoy the Ukrainian Culbaba (Dandelion) dance at The Clinches and live music at 1 Stowe Drive. WC available at The Clinches, Chez Nous, 1 Stowe Drive, and Brooklands.

1. Chez Nouse – A large, southwest-facing garden featuring a mix of cottage style plantings, mature trees, and shrubs, along with several espaliered trees. The garden extends into a large field area with views of the open countryside. Come and meet our lovely chickens — The Pickle Sisters!

2. Small House – The garden is surrounded by mature trees and shrubs, and is built over three levels on a sloping site. Panoramic views from a beautiful terrace descending into a garden of delightful island beds filled with interesting plants and flowering shrubs. Opening out into a wildflower meadow and wildlife friendly garden. Beautiful vegetable beds and pond finish off this tranquil oasis.

3. 1 Stowe Drive – An expertly designed front and back garden featuring herbaceous borders, shrubs, climbers, and trees. There are winding paths curving through the garden over a cascading wildlife pond and a small wild garden. The pergola and fences are covered with roses, wisteria, jasmine, clematis and other climbers.

4. 1 Brooklands Road – New to the trail, this house is located in a new development and has a small, north-facing garden that slopes down towards the back of the house. Since 2019, it has transformed from being completely grassed over with a small patio, as supplied by the developers, into a lush, varied collection of plants and shrubs.

5. 64 Collington Avenue – A surprise at every turn, with a mixture of plants, trees, shrubs, vegetables, and fruit trees. A labour of love for over 40 yrs, this garden has an abundance of roses, pots, and baskets, with a lawn edged by annuals and herbaceous plants. There are two greenhouses, a Tyrolean summerhouse, a pond, a mini orchard, and a vegetable plot.

6. Shambles – This garden has been designed into beautifully planted gardens rooms. Planting favours wildlife, with a stumpery and small wildlife pond to encourage birds and aquatic creatures. The garden has many nooks and crannies that feature hidden sculptures and has an eclectic mix of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses. There is an excellent Gothic folly. The owner is a very knowledgeable plantswoman.

7. De Wilp – Beautifully planted beds around a lawn with a variety of colourful herbaceous perennials inc delphiniums, roses, dahlia, cannas, datura, echiums. Summer bedding provides additional colour in hanging baskets and pots. Trees provide a backdrop and structure to the colourful planting. Shrubs and vegetables provide additional interest. The walkway to the garden is full of hostas and succulents.

8. The Clinches – A beautiful, informal garden, developed rather than planned, surrounds the house (not open). It features different rooms and hidey holes, well-stocked borders, water features, and Gaudí-inspired steps. Significant trees surround the garden, inc a large eucalyptus snow gum, which provides a central feature. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.