Duncombe Park Terraces

About the garden

A largely unaltered designed landscape created for Thomas Duncombe in the early 18th century, the terraces at Duncombe Park sit atop a steep wooded escarpment overlooking the Rye Valley. At either end of the main east terrace, visitors will find Ionic and Tuscan Temples, along with the vistas re-established over the surrounding parkland and down to the River Rye.

The historically unmown banks along the shorter south terrace offer an impressive display of bluebells, primroses and early purple orchids in the spring, while snowdrops line the woodland paths. Later Victorian additions include ornamental parterres and a conservatory. The garden and its surrounding 255-acre parkland are designated a National Nature Reserve, supporting rare insects and fungi.