Autumn Colour at Borde Hill Garden

Autumn is a great time to plan a visit and make the most of the closing months of 2022. Borde Hill Garden is a perfect destination for groups as it is easily accessible with plenty of colour to enjoy.

Borde Hill, in West Sussex, is one of Britain’s truly great heritage gardens. Originally the vision of Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke, who from 1893 dedicated 50 years to creating a magnificent collection of rare trees and flowering shrubs from around the world, it now represents the very best in British gardening. The Garden features formal garden ‘rooms’ around the Elizabethan mansion house, with wide lawns flowing out into the countryside, many plant species found nowhere else in Britain, and woods with one of the country’s largest privately owned collections of champion trees. In a nutshell, Borde Hill offers groups the world in one garden.

There are plenty of late flowering plants in Paradise Walk and the Italian Garden, both of which are newly redesigned by world-famous garden designer Chris Beardshaw. Enjoy stunning views from the Italian Garden with its rectangular pool surrounded by pots and box hedges filled with late flowering Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ and Salvia ‘Spires Blue’.

Throughout the season, Borde Hill offers groups bespoke catering and a beautifully decorated marquee that can be pre-booked for exclusive use during a visit. For 2022, Borde Hill has teamed up with Sussex Prairie Garden, to offer groups the opportunity to visit both iconic gardens in one day. The Garden also continues its joint ticket offer with The Bluebell Railway, named one of the best steam railways in Britain.

2023 Season

The Garden is hosting a colourful calendar of events with something to delight groups throughout the season including;

Magnolias in bloom in March and April when groups can book a guided magnolia tour; Roses in Bloom, 12th – 23th June, when groups can enjoy the beauty of Jay Robin’s Rose Garden with roses at their very best. The impressive garden ‘room’ is a feast for the senses with 750 David Austin roses and 100 different varieties filling the air with glorious fragrance.

For art enthusiasts, the ‘Form in Nature’ Sculpture Exhibition runs from the 8^th May – 30^th September, while on the 24th and 25th June, groups can browse a spectacular variety of inspirational and beautifully made arts and crafts when the Sussex Guild Contemporary Craft Show comes to Borde Hill. Returning on the 8th July, the hugely popular Sussex Gin Fest, the UK’s largest gin festival, is back with extraordinary craftsmanship from independent Sussex, British and worldwide gin distillers. The Great British Food Festival will also be taking place in the Parkland in September, featuring fabulous food and drink, live entertainment and captivating demonstrations.

Music lovers will delight in live music in the Garden on selected Sundays throughout July and August. Summer also sees the return of Britain’s leading outdoor touring company Opera Brava on the 21^st & 22^nd  July. Other highlights include a Specialist Plant Fair featuring unusual plants from leading nurseries in the south-east, taking place on the 7th May.

Borde Hill also has a wonderful Gift Shop which offers a wide selection of locally sourced products, a Plant Sales area, Café and the Green Tree Gallery, ensuring there is plenty to enjoy.

Please note that entry, tours and some events must be pre-booked and additional charges may apply – see website for details:

www.bordehill.co.uk/group-tours/