Gardens open in August in West Sussex under the National Garden Scheme
Visiting a National Garden Scheme garden isn’t just for adults – there’s plenty of fun (and homemade cake) to be had during the summer at our gardens for children too. And, with children going free at the majority of our gardens, a day out at a National Garden Scheme garden is great way to have a budget-friendly break from digital devices, reconnect with nature and support great causes!
West Sussex has a wealth of gardens to choose from during August.
Shalford House
Square Drive, Kingsley Green GU27 3LW.
Sun 2 Aug (12-5). Adm £10, chd free. Pre-booking essential, please visit www.ngs. org.uk for information & booking. Home-made teas. Visits also by arrangement 18 May to 31 Aug for groups of 40 to 60.
A garden designer and plantsman’s garden, set in 40 acres, with 10 acres of well maintained gardens created over 30 yrs. Featuring various herbaceous borders, ponds, a waterfall lake, and a 120 metre rill. Walled garden with large Alitex greenhouse with interesting plants including acers, hostas, Cornus kousa and hydrangeas, all within a beautiful setting. A further 30 acres with arboretum and lake is perfect for picnics. Flat gravel areas with York stone terrace around the house with access to the main sloping lawns via gently sloping paths. Disabled WC.
The Old Vicarage
The Street, Washington RH20 4AS
Every Thurs to 1 Oct (10-4). Adm £10, chd free. Pre-booking essential, please visit www.ngs. org.uk for information & booking. Self service light refreshments on Thurs (cash only) & picnics welcome. Mon 31 Aug (10-5). Adm £10, chd free. Home-made teas. Purchase ticket in advance or at the gate on the day. Visits also by arrangement to 1 Oct for groups of 10 to 30. No private group visits on Thursdays.
A truly creative garden, nurtured over 35 yrs to become
a visitor favourite. Spanning 31⁄2 acres, it features formal topiary, seasonal borders, a contemporary water sculpture, an Italianate gazebo, specimen and mature trees, a Japanese garden with waterfall and tea house, a large copse with a stream, a stumpery and treehouse, and a kitchen garden with fruit trees. With 4000 tulips and bulbs planted annually, the garden also opens in Feb for snowdrops. WC available. Featured in RHS The Garden magazine, March 2025. Regional Finalist, The English Garden’s The Nation’s Favourite Gardens 2021. Wheelchair access to front garden; rear garden is on a slope.
Fittleworth House
Bedham Lane, Fittleworth, Pulborough RH20 1JH
Every Wed 22 July to 5 Aug (2-5). Adm £6, chd free. Home-made teas. Refreshments in aid of Cruse Bereavement Support.
A tranquil, romantic 3 acre country garden with a redesigned walled kitchen garden growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers, inc a large collection of dahlias. A large glasshouse, an old potting shed, mixed flower borders, roses, rhododendrons, and lawns. A magnificent cedar tree overlooks the wisteria- covered, Grade II listed Georgian house (not open). A wild garden with long grass and a 70 metre naturalised stream with ferns and hydrangeas. Featured in The English Garden (Dec 2024) and Gardens Illustrated (April 2025) magazines. The garden sits on a gentle slope but is mostly accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.
Chalk Farm Flowers
Rogers Lane, Findon, Worthing BN14 0RE
Sat 18 Apr (9-5.30); Sun 19 Apr (10-4.30); Sat 8 Aug (9-5.30); Sun 9 Aug (10-4.30). Adm £6, chd free. Pre-booking essential, please visit www.ngs.org. uk for information & booking. Light refreshments.
A sustainable working flower farm, run by two young horticulturalists with a passion for the environment. Our mission
is to spread the word about British-grown flowers and share our story with visitors. We grow a wide range of flowers across a 1 acre site, where fresh, chemical-free bunches are available. You can also enjoy refreshments with a beautiful view of the flower field. Wheelchair access over gentle slopes and wide grassy and bark paths alongside the flower farm growing beds.
Champs Hill
Waltham Park Road, Coldwaltham, Pulborough RH20 1LY
Sun 9 Aug (2-5). Adm £7, chd free. Home-made teas. Visits also by arrangement 2 Mar to 4 Sept for groups of 10+. Adm inc tea, coffee & biscuits.
A natural landscape, the garden has been developed around three disused sand quarries with far-reaching views across the Amberley Wildbrooks to the South Downs. A woodland walk in spring leads you past beautiful sculptures, against a backdrop of colourful rhododendrons and azaleas. In summer the garden is a colourful tapestry of heathers, well-known for their abundance and variety. The travelling exhibition ‘Art of the Newlyn School’ can be viewed in the Music Room on Sun 10 May prior to its two year UK tour. Optional combined garden and art exhibition entry £10 (pay on the day only).
Tuppenny Barn
Main Road, Southbourne PO10 8EZ
Sat 15 Aug (12-4). Adm £6, chd free. Light refreshments. Food intolerances & allergies catered for. Refreshments & plants in aid of Tuppenny Barn Education (children’s charity).
An iconic, organic smallholding used as an outdoor classroom to teach children about the environment, sustainability and healthy food. 21⁄2 acres featuring a wildlife pond, an orchard with heritage top fruit varieties, two solar polytunnels, fruit cages, and raised beds for vegetables, herbs and cut flowers. Willow provides natural arches and wind breaks. Bug hotel and beehives support vital pollinators. Most of the grounds are accessible for wheelchairs, though undulated areas are more difficult. Pictured above.
4 Hillside Cottages
Downs Road, West Stoke, Chichester PO18 9BL
Sun 16 Aug (2-5). Adm £5, chd free. Home-made teas. Refreshments in aid of St Wilfrid’s Hospice. Visits also by arrangement 24 May to 16 Aug.
In a rural setting, this stunning garden is densely planted with mixed borders and shrubs. It features a large collection of roses, clematis, fuchsias, and dahlias, creating a profusion of colour and scent in a well maintained garden. Please visit www. ngs.org.uk for pop-up openings in June, July, and August. Please note: there are seven steps to access the garden.
Findon Place
Findon, Worthing BN14 0RF
Sun 23 Aug (2-5). Adm £8, chd £4. Pre-booking essential, please visit www.ngs.org.uk for information & booking. Cream teas. Visits also by arrangement Apr to Sept for groups of 15 to 40.
Stunning grounds and gardens surrounding a Grade II listed Georgian country house (not open), nestled at the foot of the South Downs. The most glorious setting for a tapestry of perennial borders set off by Sussex flint walls. The many charms including a yew allée, cloud pruned trees, espaliered fruit trees, a productive ornamental kitchen garden, rose arbours and arches, and a cutting garden.
The Folly
Charlton, Chichester PO18 0HU
Sun 23 Aug (2-4.30). Adm £6, chd free. Home- made teas. Visits also by arrangement 22 June to 26 Aug for groups of 12 to 30.
Colourful cottage garden surrounding a C16 period house (not open), set in the pretty downland village of Charlton, close to Levin Down Nature Reserve. Herbaceous borders are well-stocked with a wide range of plants. A variety of perennials, grasses, annuals, and shrubs provide a long season of colour and interest. The garden also features an old well, busy bees, and an art studio open to visitors. Partial wheelchair access with steps from patio to lawn. Visitors with mobility issues can be dropped off at the gate.
The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – they are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. They also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health and grant bursaries to help community gardening projects.
To learn more about the National Garden Scheme, discover your perfect garden or find out how to open your own garden visit ngs.org.uk For gardens opening in Sussex, pick up a copy of The National Garden Scheme Sussex Booklet, available free from many local stores, garden centres and libraries and as an online Flip Book