Our Open Gardens season returns for 2024 with a full season of events! From lakes to sculptures, exotic fruits to rose gardens, formal beds to wildflower meadows, there really is something for everyone at our beautiful Sussex gardens.
Many of our gardens will also feature wonderful extras, such as live bands, interesting stalls, delicious home baked cakes and refreshments, informational talks and more.
It really is the perfect summer’s day out, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to a full season this year. No pre-booking is required – you can turn up on the day and make an entry donation. There will also be a card machine available for payments by card, where Wi-Fi signal permits. Otherwise payments are by cash.
The gardens
Squirrels
Saturday 6th April 11am - 4pm
The Street, Arlington, BN26 6RX
Medium-size garden with far reaching views to the Downs and the Long Man of Wilmington, with two cherry trees and a variety of Camellias and Azaleas. Along with many spring bulbs, there is a herbaceous border and large fish pond.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | No |
| Dogs allowed | No (except assistance dogs) |
| Wheelchair accessible | No |
| Parking | On street |
If you have any trouble finding the exact location of this garden on the day, please call Michele on 07784238533 who will be able to assist you.
Carters Corner Farm
Saturday 20th April 11am - 4pm
Cowbeech Hill, Cowbeech, Hailsham, BN27 4JA
A large country garden with a small lake, parterre, large beds of mixed planting and a Rose garden. There is an 8-acre Bluebell wood to explore and an attached smallholding with friendly ponies, pygmy goats and alpacas.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | Yes |
| Dogs allowed | Yes (on short leads) |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Parking | On site |
Bates Green
Wednesday 24th April 10am - 4pm
Tye Hill Road, Arlington, BN26 6SH
Bates Green Garden, now an RHS Partner Garden, is a naturalistic garden in a rural setting. Divided into three distinct areas offering a sensory experience, with plants providing colour, scent and texture in all seasons. The Wildflower Meadow has a mown path through its five acres, with seating.
St Wilfrid’s will also be providing refreshments for the Bluebell Walk on this day, which is the NHS Thank You Day, with free entry on presenting your NHS ID badge.
Entry to Bates Green Garden is by donation to the hospice.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | No |
| Dogs allowed | No (except assistance dogs) |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Parking | On site |
Cowbeech Village Gardens
Saturday 11th May 11am - 4pm (a walking tour of three gardens)
Kerpses, Trolliloes Lane, BN27 4JG
Large sloping garden with vegetable patch, greenhouse, two wildlife ponds and an orchard with Bee hives on site.
Cowbeech House, Cowbeech, BN27 4JF
A large garden with a collection of fascinating sculptures, a large wildlife pond, water features and a grape vine in the Edwardian greenhouse. There is also a small vestry/chapel in the northern corner, which is under repair at present.
Merrie Harriers Barn Cowbeech BN27 4JQ
With rhododendrons, azaleas, wisteria, mature trees and a wildlife pond, this large garden has plenty of seating to enjoy the beautiful countryside view.
| Refreshments | At Kerpes Cowbeech only |
| Stalls | No |
| Dogs allowed | No (except assistance dogs) |
| Wheelchair accessible | At Cowbeech House only |
| Parking | On street only (Please car share where possible) |
Sunniva Harte’s Garden
Sunday 26th May 11am - 4pm
Oak Gate Hankham Street, Hankham, BN24 5BG
An English country garden, well planted with an artist’s studio and far-reaching views over Pevensey Marshes.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | No |
| Dogs allowed | Yes (on short leads) |
| Wheelchair accessible | No |
| Parking | On street |
Sherrington Manor
Saturday 1st June 11am - 4pm
Sherrington Manor, Selmeston, BN26 6UB
Attractive gardens and grounds in a glorious rural setting with many distinctive features, including a lake, colourful borders, mixed shrubs, sculptures and an orchard.
There will be musical entertainment from Stardust (singing duo) at 11am to 1pm and Christina (flautist) from 2pm.
| Refreshments | Yes (a BBQ with hot dogs and burgers) |
| Stalls | Yes |
| Dogs allowed | No (except assistance dogs) |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Parking | On site |
Friston Place
Saturday 15th June 11am - 4pm
Friston Place, Friston, BN20 0AH
Hidden in the Downs, this beautiful garden has large herbaceous borders, a very formal Italian garden, a vegetable garden and a flint walled rose garden. At the edge of the garden there is a new arboretum planted with 45 cherry trees, with more trees to come.
There will be musical entertainment from Stardust (singing duo) at 11am to 1pm and Ruth (harpist) from 2pm. Talha Dinc will be giving a talk about bees at 1.15pm.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | Yes |
| Dogs allowed | No (except assistance dogs) |
| Wheelchair accessible | No |
| Parking | On site |
St Wilfrid's Hospice Gardens
Tuesday 25th June 10am - 3pm
St Wilfrid’s Hospice 1 Broadwater Way Eastbourne BN22 9PZ
Five different gardens at the hospice, all expertly maintained by our gardener Kevin Loveland and his team of volunteers. These tours have limited spaces, so please call 01323 434224 to reserve your £5 ticket (free with our Annual Pass). This is the first of our two open days of the hospice gardens, the other being in September.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | No |
| Dogs allowed | No (except assistance dogs) |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Parking | On site |
Longleys Farmhouse
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 11am – 5pm both days
Longleys Farmhouse, Harebeating Lane Hailsham, BN27 1ER
An 18th century farmhouse set in peaceful rural countryside. The home of artist Veronica van Eijk, with plenty of places to sit, relax and enjoy the garden art and sculptures. There is the opportunity to take refreshments across the wildflower meadow, by the pond or under the oaks, surrounded by wildlife.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | No |
| Dogs allowed | Yes (on short leads) |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Parking | On site |
Foxhunt Manor
Saturday 27th July 11am-4pm
Foxhunt Green TN21 0RX
Edwardian garden in the early stages of restoration, set in 50 acres. Sunken Italian garden, wildflower walk, walled kitchen garden and orchard, with extensive lawns and flower borders.
There will be musical entertainment from Stardust (singers) at 11am to 1pm and Christina (flautist) at 2pm to 3:30pm.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | Yes |
| Dogs allowed | Yes (on short leads) |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Parking | On Site |
Upper Wish Hill
Saturday 3rd August 11am – 4pm
15 Upper Wish Hill Willingdon BN20 9HB
A maturing garden of 8 years old, with a wide selection of evergreen shrubs to ensure all year round colour and interest.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | No |
| Dogs allowed | No (except assistance dogs) |
| Wheelchair accessible | No |
| Parking | On street (please car share where possible) |
The Lottbridge Golf Club Open Day
Thursday 8th August 11am - 4pm
Lottbridge Golf Club Lottbridge Drove Eastbourne BN23 6QJ
A delightful 9-hole golf course in a beautiful parkland setting, sheltered by the South Downs. There are steams, ponds and dykes crisscrossing the course, which provide enjoyable easy walking, with the course closed to players for our visitors to explore. With interesting stalls, refreshments, BBQ and competitions. Dogs on leads welcome – a perfect place to bring your four-legged friend on a new walk!
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | Yes |
| Dogs allowed | Yes (on short leads) |
| Wheelchair accessible | No |
| Parking | On Site |
Knightsbridge House
Saturday 31st August 11am – 4pm
Grove Hill Hellingly BN27 4HH
A beautifully landscaped 5 acre garden with spectacular evolving herbaceous borders including a variety of ornamental grasses. In the centre, opposite the house is an amazing abstract sculpture by Ann Vrielinck. The house itself is partly covered by Wisteria, Boston Ivy and a Magnolia.
There will be musical entertainment from Stardust (singing duo) at 11am to 1pm and Mark (singer) from 2pm.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | Yes |
| Dogs allowed | Yes (on short leads) |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Parking | On Site |
St Wilfrid's Hospice Gardens
Tuesday 10th September 10am – 3pm
St Wilfrid’s Hospice 1 Broadwater Way Eastbourne BN22 9PZ
Five different gardens at the hospice, all expertly maintained by our gardener Kevin Loveland and his team of volunteers. These tours have limited spaces, so please call 01323 434224 to reserve your £5 ticket (free with our Annual Pass). This is the second of our two open days of the hospice gardens, the other being in June.
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Stalls | No |
| Dogs allowed | Yes (on short leads) |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Parking | On site |
Further Information
If you require any assistance with finding the location of the garden you wish to visit please contact us.
Please be aware these venues may have some uneven surfaces and limited access.
We will always offer assistance where possible.
If you'd like to speak to someone, please contact Michele on 01323 434224. She will be able to assist with any queries including details of accessibility and disabled parking at each garden.
Annual Pass
Our Open Gardens Annual Pass is a fantastic way to enjoy all our beautiful Sussex gardens, with great perks too. The Pass makes a lovely gift for a friend or family member, or a well-deserved treat for yourself! For just £40, you can gain entry to every one of these gorgeous gardens.
Support St Wilfrid’s Hospice
Our Open Gardens season raises vital funds every year to help St Wilfrid’s Hospice continue supporting local patients and their families. It costs just over £19,000 a day to run all of our services here at the hospice and out in our community.
Save Money
Our Open Gardens have a suggested donation of £5 entry per garden, so you only need to visit eight of the fourteen gardens open this year to start saving!
Free Hot Drink
Your card entitles you to a free hot drink of your choice at each of our Gardens.
Physical Pass
Your annual pass will be sent to you in the post.
Open Gardens E-newsletter*
You will receive a monthly Open Gardens e-newsletter during the season, with facts and information about the upcoming gardens, with tips and offers too!
Please note this newsletter is only available via email.
*Except St Wilfrid’s Hospice gardens.
With thanks to Westways Vending Specialists for proving supplies and equipment.
Brochure printing sponsored by Paradise Park
