Round & Round The Garden

Hospice in the Weald

enjoy the labour of love, it’s good news. Open garden season is in full swing and there are beautiful and interesting gardens to visit all across Sussex.

Since 1927 The National Garden Scheme (NGS) have been raising funds for charities, starting off as a support to district nurses and The Queen’s Nursing Institute. That year, 609 gardens opened for ‘a shilling a head’ and raised a total of £8,191. In 2021, the NGS donated over £3 million to charities. And today, over 3,500 gardens are registered with the NGS to welcome people through their garden gates and raise money for good causes.

There are also many, many other smaller open gardens in towns and villages all over Sussex. These might be organised by local gardening groups or individuals, but they all serve the same purpose of supporting local charities and inspiring and delighting their visitors.

At many open gardens tea and cake can be enjoyed and often plants are on sale too. Visiting an open garden can be great generator of ideas and inspiration for your own garden, and for learning a new thing or two along the way too. Talk to fellow garden

enthusiasts as you duck and delve into the planting and grill the garden owners on their colour schemes.

Getting out in gardens is brilliant for our health too, from the physical to the mental. So, what are you waiting for? Find an open garden near you and enjoy a wonderful day out full of interest, beauty and delicious cake too.

Here is a small selection of open gardens in Sussex, but also check your local communities and local or national garden societies for more.

For keen gardeners and garden lovers everywhere, open gardens are a welcome event in the summer calendar. Visit one this season and support local charities too, says Sara Whatley

The June garden is a thing of beauty. With ‘the longest day’ of the year falling on the 21st June, days are light and bright well into the evening, everything is vibrantly green, flowers are blooming and there is already plenty to harvest in the veg patch. It feels like every moment should be cherished in the garden at this time of year; it is bursting with possibility and vitality and warmer days means it’s nice enough to sit out and drink it all in.

Gardeners are busy keeping on top of bolting plants, working on the beds after the spring bulbs have died down, lifting early cropping potatoes and pinching out tomato shoots. And for those that prefer to take off the gardening gloves and

Southover Open Gardens Open garden season is in full swing and there are beautiful and interesting gardens to visit all across Sussex

Burgess Hill Garden Safari

BURGESS HILL GARDEN SAFARI Sunday 17th July, 1.00pm - 5.30pm This is the 20th annual Burgess Hill Garden Safari, when lots of lovely and interesting gardens open around the town. A raffle is being held for Mid

Downs Hospital Radio at the Princess Royal Hospital. Proceeds to St Peter & St James Hospice. Cost: £5 adults, accompanied children free, Contact the organisers 01444 244 617 cathybarnett@sky.com www.burgesshillinbloom.co.uk

HURSTPIERPOINT OPEN GARDENS Sunday 19th June, 1.00pm - 5.30pm A wonderful opportunity to visit very different gardens hidden away in the little village of Hurstpierpoint. A wide variety of gardens will be open covering small and large, creative and cottage garden borders, ponds and patios – some with fantastic views. Some gardens will be selling teas and cakes and plants. All the gardens are within a 5-10 minute walk of each other. Proceeds to St Peter & St James Hospice. Cost: £6 adults, accompanied under 14s free, Contact the organisers 01273 835064 prueheron@gmail.com www.hurstpierpointopengardens.co.uk SOUTHOVER OPEN GARDENS Sunday 12th June, 2.00pm - 5.00pm Southover’s annual Open Gardens event provides a unique opportunity to visit some of Lewes’ most secret hidden gardens. After a three-year break, there will be a wide range of gardens to see, from large traditional English ones to small more modern interpretations. Proceeds to Southover Bonfire Society. Cost: £5 adults, accompanied kids free Contact the organisers 07710 540920 secretary@southoverbs.com www.facebook.com/ opengardensofsouthover

HOSPICE IN THE WEALD OPEN GARDENS Various dates, venues and prices, visit the website for full details This year there are 33 private gardens opening to the public, creating another chance to enjoy some of the finest gardens across west Kent and northeast Sussex. Cottage gardens, wildlife havens or village walkabouts – there’s something here for everyone. This year has some beautiful new gardens in the calendar along with ever-popular venues such as Long Barn. www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk/events/ open-gardens-2022

BRIGHTON MACMILLAN COASTAL GARDEN TRAIL Gardens between Brighton and Seaford Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July, 11.00am - 5.00pm A collection of wonderfully diverse private gardens open, with several gardens that have never opened to the public before. The gardens are located in Brighton and along the coast. Television gardener and Trail Patron, Christine Walkden, will be at Driftwood in Seaford to open the event on the 23rd July and may well visit other gardens on the day, weather permitting. Tea and cakes will be available at some gardens. Proceeds to the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton. Cost: £8 for a day pass or £3 for entry to individual gardens, Contact the organisers 01323 899296 geoffstonebanks@gmail.com www.macmillangardentrail.co.uk

Brighton Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail

Hurstpierpoint Open Gardens

Talk to fellow garden enthusiasts as you duck and delve into the planting

LINDFIELD OPEN GARDENS Sunday 12th June, 1.00pm - 5.00pm This lovely trail returns including several new gardens as well as returning favourites from earlier years, all making for an intriguing variety. These special spaces in the heart of beautiful Lindfield are not to be missed. Visitors will be able to buy jam, enjoy tea and homemade cake as well as getting advice from the gardeners. Proceeds to St Peter & St James Hospice. Cost: £5 adults, accompanied under 16s free, Contact the organisers jamesastockwell@aol.com www.lindfield-gardens.co.uk

Fletching Garden Trail

Sunday 19th June, 11am to 5pm. Go ‘through the keyhole’ and explore the beautiful gardens of Fletching. Lunch, tea and delicious cakes will be available as well as children’s activities and plant stall. Tickets £8. fletching-primary-school-parentteachers-association.sumup.link/

Open Garden at Northfields, North Chailey

Sunday 26th June, 2:30 -5pm. A self-sufficient garden of several rooms, including vegetables & poly-tunnel. Teas, home-made cakes and plants. Entry £5 (Under 15’s free) In aid of St Peters Chailey Northields, North Chailey BN8 4JB

Stephen Bessant Garden Force

For all your gardening needs from garden design to maintenance services in Uckfield and surrounding areas. We can transform even the smallest garden space into an outdoor paradise. office@sbgardenforce.co.uk 07970 261591

Hammerwood Park

Open every Wednesday, Saturday and Bank Holiday Mondays until 30th September, 11.30am to 5.30pm. Enjoy a parkland stroll or picnic at Hammerwood Park grounds in the ancient meadowland. There are no formal paths, so it’s unsuitable for wheelchair/pushchairs and sturdy footwear is recommended. Dogs on leads are welcome. Located 3½ miles east of East Grinstead. Adults: £10 Children/students: free. Hammerwood Park, Hammerwood, East Grinstead RH19 3QE 01342 850594 Ann-noelle@live.com or antespam@gmail.com www.hammerwoodpark.co.uk

It is the perfect time of year for getting out and about. Enjoy open gardens and outdoor events or even make the most of your own garden space

The British Wildlife Centre

Open weekends and during school holidays The British Wildlife Centre is home to UK’s finest collection of native species. You’ll see free-ranging red squirrels, otters, wildcats, weasels, foxes, badgers, owls and many more. Pre-book online and save £1. On the A22 near Lingfield, RH7 6LF britishwildlifecentre.co.uk