Denmans Garden

About the garden

Denmans Garden is an award-winning, Grade II-registered historic garden at the foot of the South Downs, created by plantswoman Joyce Robinson who transformed it from a post-war market garden into an ornamental garden. She started her gravel gardens at Denmans in 1970 adding two faux riverbeds on a slope that had previously been home to Guernsey calves. These riverbeds flow into a pond built by landscape designer John Brookes MBE, who lived and gardened at Denmans from 1980 until 2018. Mr Brookes combined Mrs Robinson’s innovative planting style with his own bold design approach, focusing on structure, texture, pattern and colour.

Renowned for its curvilinear layout and complex plantings, Denmans is comprised of a series of spaces connected by winding paths of gravel and mown lawn surrounded by rough grass. The vision and passion of horticulturists and designers merge here, resulting in a unique blend of horticultural diversity and extraordinary design. Visitors can experience year-round colour, structure and fragrance throughout the gravel gardens, faux riverbeds, intimate Walled Garden, ponds and conservatory. 

Denmans Garden offers more than just a stunning garden, it hosts regular events such as workshops and exhibitions alongside its Artist in Residence programme. The garden also features a diverse plant nursery with many onsite propagated plants and a gift shop.