Looking for garden inspiration as we head into spring? The National Garden Scheme in Sussex will offer just that
As the days grow longer and the first signs of spring emerge, there’s no better time to explore Sussex’s breathtaking gardens. Whether you’re an avid gardener, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, these handpicked gardens—many of which open through the National Garden Scheme (NGS)—offer a stunning showcase of seasonal blooms, landscaped artistry, and tranquil spaces.
Beyond their beauty, these gardens play a vital role in supporting charitable causes. With a record-breaking £3.5 million raised in 2024, the NGS continues to fund nursing, health charities, and community garden projects, making every visit even more meaningful. The impact of these donations to their major nursing and health beneficiaries means that thousands of people who live with health conditions such as cancer or Parkinson’s, who have poor mental health, or who struggle financially as unpaid carers, have been supported by their funding of the nurses, health professionals and case workers who support them. Their funding has also provided support to those in the Gardens and Health sector along with Community Gardens and supported gardeners through traineeships.
From historic estates with sculpted topiary to wild meadows buzzing with life, here are five must-visit gardens in Sussex that promise to inspire this season.
Best Gardens in Sussex to Visit this Spring
With spring upon us, Sussex once again has a whole host of stunning gardens opening up to the public, and here the National Garden Scheme and Absolutely have picked out five that are inspiring and innovative.
The Old Vicarage, Washington
The 3½ acre garden at The Old Vicarage is set around 1832 Regency house (not open). As well as the stunning views looking towards the North Downs, enhanced by mature and various specimen trees, the garden has many pockets of interest. There is a Japanese garden with its waterfall, pond, bamboo and grasses, a further large water garden and numerous creatively planted herbaceous borders. A working kitchen garden has glasshouses, fruit cages, orchard and vegetables. The Italianate gazebo with green oak columns and lead roof offers a wonderfully comfortable place to sit and contemplate the beauty of this garden. Throughout, there are well placed seating areas to take in the stunning scenery. The treehouse is much loved by young and old alike, from here the nature viewing platform opens on to the woodland copse area which incorporates a stream and architectural stumpery. Everyone loves the topiary of characters who watch over the tennis court.
Address: The Old Vicarage The Street, Washington, West Sussex RH20 4AS
Dates: Open for the National Garden Scheme every Thursday until 2nd October (10am-4pm). Also open Monday 21st Apr, Monday 26th May, Sunday 27th July, Monday 25th Aug (10am-5pm). Visits also by arrangement 17th March to 2nd October for groups of 12 to 30.
Price: Admission £8, children free.
Tickets: Purchase tickets in advance or at the gate on the day.
Sandhill Farm House, Rogate
Sandhill Farm House is the home of author and principal of The English Gardening School, Rosemary Alexander. The gardens are broken up into garden rooms including a small kitchen garden. The front garden is planted with early spring flowering shrubs, ferns and bulbs and has a small woodland area. There is a white and green garden, a large leaf border and terraced area. The rear garden has rose borders, a small decorative vegetable garden, a red border and a grasses border.
Gravel paths and a few steps not easily negotiated in a wheelchair. Dogs on leads allowed.
Address: Sandhill Farm House Nyewood Road Rogate, Petersfield, West Sussex GU31 5HU
Dates: Open for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April (1pm-4pm) and Sunday 27th April (2pm-5pm).
Price: Admission £8, children free.
Tickets: Pay on the day
Judy’s Cottage Garden, Worthing
A beautiful medium sized cottage garden with something of interest all year-round. The garden has several mature trees creating a feeling of seclusion. The informal beds contain a mixture of shrubs, perennials, cottage garden plants and spring bulbs. There are little hidden areas to enjoy, a small fishpond and other water features. There is also a pretty log cabin overlooking the garden.
Address: Judy’s Cottage Garden 33 The Plantation Worthing, West Sussex BN13 2AE
Dates: Open for the National Garden Scheme on Friday 18th April and Saturday 21st June (10.30am-3.30pm).
Price: Admission £5, children free.
King John’s Nursery, Etchingham
The garden at King John’s Nursery has been organically growing over the last few years. With projects constantly in the pipeline it is always changing. The two small gardens within the high hornbeam hedges have personalities of their own. The wildmeadow is a truly wild affair full of camassias and daffodil thalia in spring alongside snakeshead fritillaries. The wildmeadow becomes truly wild and buzzes with insect life in summer. A new rose garden was planted in the autumn of 2024 below the meadow before you head through the long border. A shady walk through the trees and the old meadow ends with a blast of colour with the cutting garden. There is also a romantic pond garden. The nursery sells lots of unusual plants and the shop is a treasure trove of tools, homeware and vintage finds alongside stoneware pots, statuary and plant supports.
Address: King John’s Nursery Sheepstreet Lane Etchingham, East Sussex TN19 7AZ
Dates: Open for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 22nd March and Saturday 24th May, Saturday 28th June and Saturday 13th September (10am-5pm).
Price: Admission £5, children free.
The Garden House Brighton
One of Brighton’s secret gardens, providing 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. The garden is changing all the time to reflect both the seasons and changing trends in horticulture. Garden House also provides a learning space for creative and inspiration courses and events. The garden has been featured in many publications and has also featured on the NGS open gardens program with Carol Klein.
Address: The Garden House 5 Warleigh Road Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4NT
Dates: Open for the National Garden Scheme on Friday 11th April and Sunday 13th April (1.30pm-5.30pm).
Price: Admission £6, children free.
Penns in the Rocks
A large garden featuring spectacular 140-million-year-old rock outcrops. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lake, take in the 18th-century temple and woods, and meander through the old walled garden filled with herbaceous borders, roses, and shrubs.
Location: Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9PA
Open: 2 pm to 6 pm
Entry: £7
Kitchenham Farm
This one-acre country house garden is set among traditional farm buildings with stunning views over the Sussex countryside. Enjoy the series of borders around the house and oast house, traverse the lawns, and see mixed herbaceous borders containing roses and delphiniums. A ha-ha separates the garden from the fields and sheep beyond.
Location: Kitchenham Road, Ashburnham, Battle, TN33 9NP
Open: 2 pm to 5 pm
Entry: £6
Fittleworth House
A tranquil and romantic three-acre country garden including a walled kitchen garden growing a wide range of fruit, vegetables, and flowers, including a large collection of dahlias. Stroll through the old potting shed, across lawns, and see mixed flower borders containing roses and rhododendrons.
Location: Pulborough Bedham Lane, Fittleworth, Pulborough, RH20 1JH
Open: 2 pm to 5 pm
Entry: £5
Nyetimber Manor
Nestled below the vineyards, Nyetimber Manor garden features extensive herbaceous borders, an orchard, a flower and rose garden, and a courtyard. A tapestry of topiary framed by lily ponds offers a beautiful view of the South Downs. The garden was extensively redesigned and replanted in 2020.
Location: Nyetimber Vineyard, Gay Street, Pulborough, RH20 2HH
Open: Timed slots at 9.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, and 3.30 pm
Entry: £15 for adults, £7.50 for children (Pre-booking essential, visit ngs.org.uk)
The Beeches
This 18th-century walled garden is filled with cut flowers, vegetables, salads, and fruit. Wander through the separate orchard and rose garden, and enjoy the herbaceous borders and extensive lawns.
Location: Church Road, Barcombe, Lewes, BN8 5TS
Open: 1 pm to 5 pm
Entry: £6
Champs Hill
Set in a beautiful natural landscape, the garden has been developed around three disused sand quarries, with far-reaching views across the Amberley Wildbrooks to the South Downs. A woodland walk leads you past a collection of beautiful sculptures.
Location: Waltham Park Road, Coldwaltham, Pulborough, RH20 1LY
Open: 2 pm to 5 pm
Entry: £5
Whitehanger
Set on six acres on the edge of the South Downs National Park, this garden includes lawned areas with beds of perennials, a serenity pool with Koi carp, a wildflower meadow, a Japanese garden, a sculpture garden, and more.
Location: Marley Lane, Haslemere, GU27 3PY
Open: 10 am to 4.30 pm
Entry: £6.50 for adults and children (Pre-booking essential, visit ngs.org.uk)
Butlers Farmhouse
A one-acre garden surrounding a 16th-century farmhouse with lovely views of the South Downs. This quirky garden includes a rainbow border, a small pond, Cornish-inspired beach corners, a poison garden, and a secret jungle garden.
Location: Butlers Lane, Herstmonceux, BN27 1QH
Open: 2 pm to 5 pm
Entry: £7 (Live jazz, bring a chair or rug)
Hollymount
A new seven-acre garden on a sloping hillside with plenty of water features, including four large ponds, a stream, and waterfalls. The garden contains terraced beds, tropical areas, and wildlife such as alpacas, pigs, chickens, ducks, and fish.
Location: Burnt Oak Road, High Hurstwood, Uckfield, TN22 4AE
Open: Midday to 5 pm
Entry: £7
Durance Manor
This two-acre garden surrounds a medieval hall house with uninterrupted views of the South Downs and Chanctonbury Ring. The garden includes Japanese-inspired areas, a large pond, a wildflower meadow, an orchard, and a Monet-style bridge over a pond with water lilies. Readers are spoilt for choice with such a wonderful variety of gardens to visit. Refreshments are available in all gardens, and in most cases, children are allowed in free.
Location: Smithers Hill Lane, Shipley, RH13 8PE
Open: Midday to 6 pm
Entry: £8
Learn more about the National Garden Scheme, discover your perfect garden or find out how to open your own garden
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