The Gardens of East Sussex

This tour is a wonderful opportunity to discover some glorious gardens set in the rolling Sussex Downs whilst staying for three nights at the very comfortable and luxurious 4 star Handpicked Buxted Park Hotel.

Garden visits will include the Sussex Prairie Garden a spectacular eight-acre prairie garden packed with colour from early summer to late autumn. The large borders are filled with dramatic swathes of ornamental grasses and perennials.  As a contrast the iconic gardens at Nymans are set in the High Weald with splendid views.  The garden was developed in the late 19th century by three generations of the Messel family with a series of experimental designs and superb planting created in the changing fashion of early 20th century gardening.  Town Place is a stunning 3 acre garden with a growing international reputation for the quality of its design and planting. There is an abundance of roses, herbaceous borders, topiary inspired by the sculptures of Henry Moore.

Clinton Lodge Gardens. A six acre formal and romantic garden enhancing the character of the 17th century house, pleached lime walks, double herbaceous borders, canal garden and more.   Ringmer Park. A series of gardens designed with different plant types, structure and colour palette, herbaceous borders, a white garden, rose gardens and stunning views of the South Downs.   Malthouse Farm a rural five acre garden with an ever-changing planting palette subdivided into different rooms with stunning views to the South Downs.

On the Thursday a visit to Sarah Raven’s beautiful cutting garden at Perch Hill. A garden of high-intensity colour and interest in a series of spaces that include perennial and annual cutting gardens, a trials garden, a Dutch-style yard and ornamental vegetable beds (This is a timed entry with restricted numbers on one of their open days).    Followed by a private visit to Brightling Down Farm an impressive award-winning hillside garden again with spectacular views combining traditional and contemporary ideas with structure and form designed by renowned garden designer team Acres Wild.

The Buxted Park Hotel is an elegant Palladian four star country house hotel set in rolling parkland and a short drive from Uckfield.  The property has a colourful history with visitors that included William Wordsworth, Winston Churchill and Marlon Brando.  Buxted Station has direct trains from London Bridge.

Monday 1 July: Arrive and check into the hotel before dining with others in the evening.

Tuesday 2 July: Clinton Lodge Garden with morning refreshments followed by Malthouse Farm. A light lunch will be provided by the Artelium Wine Estate opposite the garden. Then continue to Ringmer Park for a tour of the garden and refreshments.

Wednesday 3 July:  Departing by coach for visits to Sussex Prairie Garden, Nymans where lunch can be purchased and finally Town Place.

Thursday 4 July:  Starting the morning at Perch Hill for a garden visit on their restricted access open day followed by a visit to nearby Brightling Down Farm – returning to the hotel via Buxted Station for 2 pm.