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Gardens to visit in Sussex plus Historic Houses and Castles

30 Amazing Gardens to visit in Sussex plus Historic Houses and Castles open to the public
It is one of the sunniest places in England with rolling countryside, hidden villages, a great coast and so much to see. Just 45 minutes from London by car you could visit several places in a day or alternatively why not say in one of our recommended hotels which are detailed on our pages.
Great Dixter is one of Britain's top gardens made famous by the great Christopher Lloyd, originally designed by Lutyens. Sissinghurst Castle is nearby so it may be worth staying a few days to visit the area. With this in mind we feature hotels nearby and also in the towns of Brighton, Hastings and Sussex.
If you are from overseas then another option is to join one of our organised guided gardens tour which cover this area and the whole of the British Isles. The prices are reasonable and there are departure points in London as well as other places - look now.

Alfriston Clergy House

Alfriston Clergy House, National Trust, Sussex

Sussex, Alfriston Clergy House in Sussex has a delightful small garden and is run by the National Trust - its first ever property

COTTAGE GARDEN, WONDERFUL VIEWS, HISTORIC HOUSE OPEN TO VISITORS

Arundel Castle Gardens

Historic Houses

Arundel Castle and Gardens

Sussex, Historic Castle (OPEN) and beautiful gardens to take your breath away

Make sure you put Arundel Castle and Gardens in your diary, you will not be disappointed.
TULIPS, ROSE GARDEN, ORGANIC, KITCHEN GARDEN, CASTLE OPEN

Batemans House and Garden

Batemans Garden, near Burwash

Sussex, Rudyard Kipling lived here at Batemans from 1902 to his death in 1936 and was responsible for most of the Garden which surrounds the Jacobean House.

GOOD SPRING BORDERS, HERBACEOUS BORDERS, RIVERSIDE WALK, HISTORIC HOUSE OPEN TO VISITORS

Bates Green Garden

RHS Partner Garden

Bates Green Garden near Eastbourne

Sussex, Bates Green Garden, sitting in the beautiful Sussex country side has naturalstic plantings with all year round interest

COTTAGE GARDEN, BLUEBELLS, DAFFODILS, 6 ACRE WILDFLOWER MEADOW

Borde Hill in Autumn

Historic Houses

Borde Hill Garden, near Haywards Heath

Sussex, Borde Hill garden set in 200 acres of the Sussex Countryside - Many of the plants originate from the Himalayas, China and the Andes, and date back to the 1900’s. Great to visit anytime of year!

RHODODENDRONS, WOODLAND GARDEN, ROSES, WATER GARDEN, AUTUMN COLOURS

Charleston House and Gardens

Charleston Trust

Charleston House and Gardens, Lewes

East Sussex, Wonderful! Charleston House (open) was the home of the Bloomsbury group and its walled garden is quintessentially a painters’ garden - residents included Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, John Maynard Keynes, Virginia Woolf and EM Forster.

BEAUTIFUL OLD FASHIONED COTTAGE GARDEN, WALLED GARDEN, AMAZING HOUSE OPEN TO VISITORS.

Denmans Garden

RHS Partner Garden

Denmans Garden, near Chichester

Sussex, RHS Partner Garden of the Year 2023 for West Sussex, the South East and Channel Islands. The Garden is a great contemporary garden originally designed by the late John Brookes who was famous for his book 'The Small Garden'

GRAVEL GARDEN, HERBACEOUS BORDERS, COTTAGE GARDEN, POND GARDEN, GREAT FOR IDEAS!

Driftwood by Sea

Driftwood by Sea, Seaford

Sussex, Driftwood by Sea is the smallest garden on our guide at just 112ft by 40ft. It is a really special place.

SINCE 1989 THIS GARDEN HAS RAISED OVER £170,000 FOR CHARITY!

Garth Pleasure Grounds

Historic Houses

Garth Pleasure Grounds

Surrey, A beautiful Arts and Crafts Garden in Lingfield by Walter H Godfrey created around 1919

BLUEBELLS, ROSES, WOODLAND GARDEN, REFURBISHED PARISH WORKHOUSE

Gravetye Manor Gardens

Gravetye Manor Garden, East Grinstead

Sussex, Not to be missed - The famous Garden at Gravetye Manor was created by William Robinson in the Arts and Crafts style.

FAMOUS ARTS AND CRAFTS GARDEN, HISTORIC HOTEL, WALLED GARDEN, SPRING BORDERS, TULIPS AND DAFFODILS, AMAZING BORDERS

Great Dixter Gardens in Sussex

Historic Houses

Great Dixter Garden, near Rye

Sussex, The amazing Great Dixter Gardens, near Rye is one of the finest Gardens in the British Isles.Great Dixter is the family home of the late Christopher Lloyd - Amazing plantings run riot!

HERBACEOUS BORDERS, SUNKEN GARDEN, WILDFLOWERS, TOPIARY, TROPICAL BORDER
HISTORIC MANOR OPEN TO PUBLIC

Herstmonceux Castle and Garden

Herstmonceux Castle Estate

Sussex, Herstmonceux Castle is renowned for its magnificent moated castle, and gardens set in beautiful parkland and superb Elizabethan gardens, plus Woodland Walks and Lake.

DAFFODILS, BLUEBELLS, RHODODENDRONS, HERBACEOUS BORDERS, ROSES, AUTUMN COLOURS

Hever Castle Garden

RHS Partner Garden

Hever Castle and Gardens

Kent, Hever Castle, on the Kent border have lovingly tended gardens bringing colour and life all the year round surround. One of our must visit places!

SNOWDROPS, DAFFODILS, TULIPS, ROSES, WATER GARDENS, TOPIARY, AUTUMN COLOURS. MAGNIFICENT CASTLE OPEN TO VISITORS

High Beeches Garden

RHS Partner Garden

High Beeches Garden

Sussex, High Beeches Gardens is 27 acres of tranquil and enchanting woodland and water gardens. A wonderful place to visit all year round but especially Spring and Autumn

DAFFODILS, RHODODENDRONS, CAMELIAS, WILD FLOWERS, AUTUMN COLOURS

Highdown Garden

Highdown Gardens, near Worthing

Sussex, Congratulations to Worthing Borough Council who maintain this lovely Chalk Garden, Highdown Gardens. A wonderful collection of plants from Spring to Autumn

DAFFODILS, TULIPS, IRISES, PEONIES, COTTAGE GARDEN BORDERS, QUARRY GARDEN

Leonardslee Gardens Sussex

RHS Partner Garden

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, near Horsham

Sussex, The magnificent Leonardslee Gardens in Sussex with amazing plants from all over the world including rare rhododendrons.. Lakeside and Hillside walks

RHODODENDRONS, CAMELIAS, MAGNOLIAS, BLUEBELLS, WATER GARDENS, AUTUMN COLOURS

Merriments Garden

RHS Partner Garden

Merriments Gardens, Sussex

Sussex, The gardens at Merriments in the rolling Sussex countryside never fails to delight. Colour all year round with excellent adjoining Garden Centre

COTTAGE GARDEN BORDERS, HERBACEOUS BORDERS, FLOWERING SHRUBS, WATER GARDEN

Michelham Priory Garden

Historic Houses

Michelham Priory Garden, near Hailsham

Sussex, Michelham Priory is a hidden gem in the heart of the Sussex Countryside with beautiful gardens, events and exhibitions throughout the year, plus informal and more formal gardens. Take time to tour the Priory itself.

HISTORIC HOUSE OPEN TO PUBLIC. LONGEST MEDIEVAL MOAT IN ENGLAND. EXTENSIVE GROUNDS

Monks House Gardens National Trust

Monk's House and Garden, National Trust, Virginia Woolf

Sussex, This was the delightful Cottage, home of Leonard and Virginia Woolf, with all its Bllomsbury Treasures plus garden in the Arts and Crafts Style. The charming House is also open.

CHARMING ATMOSPHERIC HOUSE OPEN TO VISITORS. WRITING LODGE WHERE SOME OF VIRGINIA'S BEST NOVELS WERE WRITTEN, INFORMAL GARDENS

Nymans Garden in Sussex

Nymans Garden, near Crawley

Sussex, Nymans Garden, in Sussex is one of the National Trusts most beautiful gardens. In the late 1800's Ludwig Messel bought the Nymans Estate in the Sussex High Weald to make a dream family home.

NATIONAL TRUST GARDEN GEM, TULIPS, DAFFODILS, SPRING BLOSSOM, HERBACEOUS BORDERS, AUTUMN COLOURS

Parham House Gardens

RHS Partner Garden

Parham House Gardens

Sussex, There are two gardens at the amazing Parham House - the 18th century Pleasure Grounds, seven acres of rolling lawns, a lake, specimen trees, some swings and fine garden statuary - and the magnificent four-acre walled garden

PARHAM IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S FINEST ELIZABETHAN HOUSES AND OPEN TO VISITORS. BEAUTIFUL GARDENS, 4 ACRE WALLED GARDEN, LAKES, SPECIMEN TREES

Pretty pink tulips leading you down to the lake at Pashley Manor Gardens

Historic Houses

Pashley Manor Gardens, near Wadhurst

Sussex, There are magnificent views; a walled garden containing a Rose Walk, Rose Garden and Kitchen Garden; Victorian greenhouse; herbaceous borders - a great day out!

TULIP FESTIVAL, FOUNTAINS, SPRINGS, HERBACEOUS BORDERS, EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Sheffield Park Garden

Sheffield Park Garden

Sussex, Sheffield Park is a great landscaped garden created by Capability Brown in the 18th century. It is a great place to visit in any season, and especially in Spring and Autumn

DAFFODILS, BLUEBELLS, RHODODENDRONS, AZALEAS, SPECIMEN TREES, LAKE, AUTUMN COLOURS

St Marys Bramber Garden

Historic Houses

St Marys Bramber Garden

Sussex, The St Mary's Bramber Gardens though small are enchanting including amusing animal topiary, a living fossil tree, the ivy-clad 'Monks' Walk', floral borders and water features.

FORMERLY HISTORIC PILGRIM INN DATING FROM 14TH CENTURY, DELIGHTFUL COTTAGE GARDENS, HOUSE OPEN TO VISITORS

Standen House Garden

Standen House Gardens

Sussex, Standen House is an amazing Arts and Crafts family home, complemented by a beautiful 13 acre hillside garden. The garden is beautiful in every season especially Spring.

HOUSE OPEN TO VISITORS, MORRIS AND CO INTERIORS, RHODODENDRONS, CAMELLIAS, TULIPS, WOODLAND WALKS.

Sussex Prairie Garden

RHS Partner Garden

Sussex Prairies Garden, near Henfield

Sussex, Sussex Prairie Garden of approx 6 acres planted in a naturalistic style using 30,000 plants of 600 different varieties. This is a wonderful naturalstic garden with Wildlife Pools.

PRAIRE GARDEN, AMAZING BORDERS, GREAT FOR WILDLIFE, SCULPTURES.

Autumn at Wakehurst Place

Wakehurst, beautiful Gardens, near Haywards Heath

Sussex, Wakehurst was leased by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1965 from the National Trust. Wonderful in every season from Spring to Winter. situated in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' on the High Weald of Sussex.

DAFFODILS, BLUEBELLS, WOODLAND GARDEN, WILDLIFE POND, SPRING BLOSSOM, AUTUMN COLOURS, WINTER GARDEN

West Dean Gardens

RHS Partner Garden

West Dean Gardens, near Chichester

West Sussex, One of the greatest restored gardens in Britain open to the public today. Set in the beautiful Lavant valley in the glorious South Downs. A wonderful place to visit.

HAROLD PETO 300 FOOT PERGOLA, WATER GARDEN, WALLED GARDEN, SUNKEN GARDEN, TULIPS, FERNS, ARBORETUM

Woolbeding Garden

Woolbeding Gardens Midhurst

Sussex, Visit the beautiful Woolbeding Gardens in Midhurst Sussex, close to the Surrey/Hampshire Borders - National Trust . A masterpiece of colour and design, the formal garden rooms have been planned to perfection by landscape architect Lanning Roper.

WATER GARDEN, 10 SIDED GLASSHOUSE OPENS LIKE A FLOWER, BANNERMAN FOLLIES, WONDERFUL FLOWER BORDERS