Often described as one of the most beautiful gardens in England, Wakehurst contains a series of ornamental features with many plants from across the world providing year-round colour and interest and extensive woodlands, offering delightful walks.

 

Information about the garden is available within the Elizabethan mansion. You can also visit the Loder Valley nature reserve by permit (24 hours notice required). Managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is an inspiration of colour throughout the seasons. Woodlands contain native and exotic temperate trees from across the world, including birch, southern beech, giant redwood and Japanese maple.

 

The woodland walk is particularly fine in summer, with native orchids and other wild flowers. The Water Gardens display a rich mixture of plantings including large groups of blue poppies and giant Himalayan lilies. An elevated walkway through the wetland habitat allows you to observe the wildlife and plants of the Sussex Weald. Ornamental gardens surround a fine 16thC mansion, including walled gardens, a winter garden and a wonderful spring border around the mansion pond.

 

The circular route winds through more than 170 acres of ornamental gardens, woodland, wetland and meadow. Shop, restaurant and facilities for the disabled.

 

Extensive mixed woodlands, wetlands and grasslands provide habitats for over 100 species of birds. Dormice, badgers and bats are all monitored in the gardens and nature reserve.

 

Recently under construction was a new seed bank which will eventually house up to 25,000 seeds from plants of many areas of the world, including all the UK's 1,400 native plants.

 

Disabled Access: Most of the upper garden is accessible, but steep paths elsewhere (strong companions essential).
Restaurant is accessible via ramps. Wheelchairs available. Adapted W.C.

 

OPENING TIMES: Garden & Mansion: All year: daily (except 25 Dec & 1st Jan). Feb & Oct 10-5. March 10-6. April to end Sept 10-7. Nov to end Jan 2000 10-4. Last admission: 30 minutes before closing. Mansion closes one hour before garden.

 

Shop: not NT, located in the mansion) Same days and times as the mansion.

 

Restaurant: (not NT, licensed, self-service) Serving a large selection of home-made cakes, hot and cold snacks, salads and full meals. Open all year. Closes 1 hour before garden. Picnics welcome in garden.

 

Wakehurst place is administered and maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

 

Location: 1½ miles north west of Ardingly, on B2028

 

Admission: Prices under review. Telephone for details.

 

Ardingly, nr Haywards Heath, RH17 6TN. TEL: 01444 894066

Web: www.kew.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top of Page       main page:  www.yeoldesussexpages.com