Itineraries:
Gardens
The British are famous as a nation of gardeners, and there are many fine gardens to visit in Sussex - usually complemented by a beautiful old manor-house or stately home which doubles the pleasure of a visit. Each year a number of lists of gardens open to the public are published - some are superb private gardens open only a few days each year, depending on when they are at their best. Contact a Tourist Information Centre for the latest details.
Day one
Herstmonceux Castle is a 15th century moated castle and walled garden surrounded by 550 acres of glorious woodland near the village of Herstmonceux. Or you may prefer Michelham Priory at Upper Dicker on the A271. Founded in 1229, the Priory is approached through a 14th century gatehouse. The picturesque gardens are enhanced by a working watermill, a physic garden (medicinal herbs), a smithy, a rope museum and the dramatic Elizabethan Great Barn, venue for art exhibitions, theatrical productions and functions.
If you stay overnight in Eastbourne, do not fail to visit the famous Carpet Gardens, a fine example of the English seaside tradition of formal bedding displays.
Day two
Go across country to Northiam on the A28. Great Dixter House and Gardens is the home of one of Britain's foremost gardening writers, Christopher Lloyd. The house - remodelled by Lutyens - includes the largest medieval hall-house in the county. The gardens are full of exciting plants and brilliant ideas for colour-combinations. They are particularly famous for the Long Borders, huge swathes of herbaceous plants immaculately tended; but recently Christopher Lloyd has created a daring Exotic Garden close to house, a bold stroke which has received much acclaim.
Also in Northiam is Brickwall House and Gardens, a Grade-1 listed Jacobean manor-house with yew hedges, an 18th century bowling alley, and a walled garden with a chess-board and topiary chessmen.
Northiam is also a starting point for the Kent & East Sussex Steam Railway, which runs to Bodiam in one direction and Tenterden (Kent) in the other, through some 10 miles of wonderful countryside.
Day three
If your taste is for English gardening on the grand scale, head for Sheffield Park Garden, on the A275 north of Lewes. Run by the National Trust, it was originally the work of 'Capability' Brown, and has four large lakes linked by cascades and waterfalls. The thousands of mature specimen trees give a sense of tranquility and provide colour throughout the year, although the rhododendron and azalea season, and the season of autumn colour, are particularly spectacular. The Bluebell Railway operates a steam train out of Sheffield Park Station: an excellent way to enjoy the beautiful Wealden countryside - and not only in the bluebell season! If you want to take plants home with you, there are many excellent garden centres in the county. At Merriments, for example, on the A229 not far from Hurst Green, there is not only a garden centre offering a fine range of plants, but also a huge display area where the plants can be seen growing in optimum conditions, a rich seam of ideas on colour and structure for the keen gardener. Or you may need a highly specialist nursery, such as Lime Cross Nursery near Herstmonceux which specialises in conifers; Bodiam Bonsai at Ewhurst Green near Bodiam; Just Roses at Northiam; or Uplands Nursery, Hooe, west of Bexhill, for fuchsias.
Other suggestions:
- Formal municipal parks such as Alexandra Park in Hastings, a fine Victorian public garden now being refurbished with a major National Lottery grant. Preston Park, Brighton, is another splendid example of the municipal park.
- Pashley Manor, near Ticehurst, has 9 acres of 18th century gardens in true English romantic style: water features, a walled rose garden, marvellous herbaceous borders, many gardening events during the year, and home-made lunches and teas.
- Near Hadlow Down on the A272 west of Heathfield are Wilderness Wood a unique family-run working woodland, ideal for children; and Cabbages & Kings, a Centre for Garden Design, where the art of garden design is demonstrated through a richly planted garden set in spectacular countryside.
