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Additional RHS member dates: 21 August–15 October


Partner Garden
Free access for RHS members at selected times

Borde Hill Lane
Haywards Heath
RH16 1XP

1½ miles north of Haywards Heath.

17 acres

Tel
01444 450326

Visit website

Opening Hours

10am–5pm, daily, 11 Feb–12 Nov.

Admission

Please see website for admission prices.

RHS members

Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies Jul and Sep. Additional dates: 21 Aug–15 Oct.

Facilities

  • Accessible facilities
  • Accessible garden
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children’s play area
  • Children's activities
  • Dogs welcome
  • Free carer entry
  • Gift shop
  • Group rates
  • Parking
  • Picnic area
  • Plant sales
  • Refreshments
  • Toilets

Features

  • Champion trees
  • Herbaceous border
  • Mediterranean/Italian garden
  • Sub-tropical garden
  • Woodland

About the garden

Owned by
Mr and Mrs Andrewjohn Stephenson Clarke

Borde Hill is a Grade II* listed English Heritage Garden set within 81ha (200 acres) of woodland and parkland, with magnificent views across the Ouse Valley viaduct. It has been referred to by The Daily Telegraph as "planted with passion" and by Country Life as "one of the country’s truly great gardens".            

It was created by Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke from seeds gathered by the great plant hunters of the early 1900s. It was his philosophy that plants need to be placed in the right place.            

Borde Hill is renowned for its astonishing collection of unusual trees and shrubs. It’s one of four private gardens of national importance and its exotic trees are recorded at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It is the origin of many hybrid plants including Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’ and Alstroemeria ‘Walter Fleming’.           

The garden has distinct ‘rooms’, each with its own unique style and character. In the last 30 years many areas have been greatly enhanced and restored including the sub-tropical Round Dell, the sophisticated Rose Garden and romantic Italian Garden. Paradise Walk and the Italian Garden have recently been replanted using new design schemes by garden designer Chris Beardshaw.            

An abundance of spring magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons give way to exuberant summer borders of roses and herbaceous plants followed by mellow autumn colour.            

Events throughout the season include horticultural talks, music, outdoor theatre, sculpture and family trails during the school holidays. With a cafe serving homemade food, picnic areas and an adventure playground, Borde Hill is the perfect place for everyone to enjoy a great day out.

Plants of special interest

  • Agapanthus
  • Alliums
  • Asters
  • Autumn bulbs
  • Bluebells
  • Camellias
  • Clematis
  • Cornus (for winter stems or spring bracts)
  • Cyclamen
  • Daffodils
  • Dahlias
  • Delphiniums
  • Ferns
  • Fuchsias
  • Grasses
  • Hellebores
  • Hemerocallis
  • Hostas
  • Irises
  • Lavender
  • Magnolias
  • Primulas
  • Rhododendrons/azaleas
  • Roses
  • Shade-loving plants
  • Snowdrops
  • Spring bulbs
  • Topiary
  • Waterlilies

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.