Fittleworth House
On 1st May 2025, as part of the Royal Photographic Society Talk-Walk-Talk Parks and Gardens programme, 13 members met at Fittleworth House in West Sussex. These are a few of the photographs we took. Our thanks to Mark, Peter and Alan for warmly welcoming us to the garden. Those taking part were:
Celia Henderson
Claire Binyon
Colin Smith
David Culley
David Waterhouse
Dean Sephton
Janet Brown
Jeff Kelsey
Liz Barber
Paul Tucker
Sally Stone
Sue Lambert
Tessa Blewchamp
The two images we chose to go into the overall Parks and Gardens e-zine were:
Front Cover: Mark Saunders, Head Gardener at Fittleworth House, photograph by David Waterhouse
Rear Cover: Red Carpet, The Dell, Fittleworth House, photograph by Janet Brown
Fittleworth House
“A naturally romantic private garden with Spring Garden, Stream Garden, Fountain Garden, walled kitchen garden, glasshouse and potting shed.”
Gardens Illustrated
Fittleworth House - a brief history
Fittleworth House sits in a conservation area on the edge of the South Downs National Park in West Sussex. The current house dates from the 18th century and has been in the same family ownership for over sixty years.
The main features of the garden are a fully productive working walled kitchen garden, growing a wide range of flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs. There is a smaller walled area containing the large glasshouse, potting sheds and cold frames. The Georgian house (not open) is covered by a glorious Wisteria whilst nearby stands one of the most magnificent Cedar of Lebanon's in the South of England.
A natural looking stream flows from the top of the garden through rocks, beautiful plantings and long grass areas, creating a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.
At 3 acres, the garden is not huge but it is very labor intensive and is managed by head gardener Mark Saunders and his son Peter with help from Alan and a small team of volunteers
Flowers play a big part of the garden with beds of Roses, a 150ft long Annual and Dahlia mixed display border, a wide range of annuals in pots and mixed herbaceous borders and some beautiful grasses. Springtime brings Tulips, Daffodils, Rhododendrons and Camellia's whilst the birds sing and days lengthen.
Nature forms a great part of the way the garden is planted and managed. A wildlife pond, long grass areas, Oak trees, nesting boxes and bird feeders all help to attract wildlife which has a beneficial effect on the plants.
The garden is run along natural lines and compost plays a major part of that with over 10 tons being added to the vegetable beds each year alone. Because of this we do very little watering in the garden except for potted plants and new plantings.
The garden has been opening for the National Garden Scheme since 1999, and has so far helped raise over £75,000 for their various charities. The garden has recently featured in the English Garden magazine, and Gardens Illustrated.
Text extracted from Mark Saunders’ website: racingandgreen.com/fittleworth-house-information
