Highdown Gardens, Worthing, Sussex

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Highdown Gardens was created 90 years’ ago by Sir Frederick and Lady Stern who set out to prove that you could grow a garden on chalk. The garden was built in an old chalkpit that looked over the South Downs, and the chalk sides of the pit give a very attractive backdrop to some parts of the garden. All the plants and trees growing there are tolerant of soil that is very alkali and the gardens have been given a ‘green flag’ status ...
...and wild flower gardens. Highdown Gardens suits me. There are lots of trees that give the impression of a woodland setting. These are interspersed with small glades and larger open spaces. The trees themselves provide good shade on a hot day and of course encourage quite a range of birds. The random splashes of colour from the plants and the trees give it a rather ‘Monet’ type of atmosphere.


I loved the secret places that you ... more

This is a real gem of a West Sussex garden, particularly so because you don’t have to pay to look at it!

A few facts about the Garden:-

Highdown Gardens was created 90 years’ ago by Sir Frederick and Lady Stern who set out to prove that you could grow a garden on chalk. The garden was built in an old chalkpit that looked over the South Downs, and the chalk sides of the pit give a very attractive backdrop to some parts of the garden. All the plants and trees growing there are tolerant of soil that is very alkali and the gardens have been given a ‘green flag’ status by the Civic Trust and regarded as a National Collection.

As a general rule, I’m not very interested in formally planted gardens. I love the ‘rough and tumble’ colour and shape of informal and wild flower gardens. Highdown Gardens suits me. There are lots of trees that give the impression of a woodland setting. These are interspersed with small glades and larger open spaces. The trees themselves provide good shade on a hot day and of course encourage quite a range of birds. The random splashes of colour from the plants and the trees give it a rather ‘Monet’ type of atmosphere.

I loved the secret places that you could disappear into through the trees and the occasional surprise, such as a fishpond for Koi Carp and Goldfish, that seemed to disappear into some rocks. There are strongly scented tree blossoms, high walls you can lean over to look down on other parts of the garden and meandering pathways leading who knows where?

This is a garden for every age – for children to run around and explore, for gardeners to be inspired and for the elderly to sit and enjoy. However, if walking is difficult, be warned that although the pathways are stable, there are several hills and slopes you need to climb in order to see everything. I would certainly have been happy to have dreamed the whole day away there.

Facilities:-

There is a large free car park near to the entrance of the garden.

Toilets are available before you enter, though be warned that these are public toilets provided by the council. They are very basic and sort of clean, but you might need a peg for your nose!

Before you go into the garden, look at the interpretation boards that have been put up on display and also take one of the leaflets which will show you where to go in the garden and what you will find there.

In the garden there is plenty of seating for those who need to sit down frequently or want to have a picnic.

If you would like refreshments, there are some tea rooms nearby. I haven’t visited these, but you can find out more about them via their website: www.highdowntearooms.co.uk/

How to get there:-

The garden is accessible from the (A259), when you are driving in an easterly direction. It is well signposted. If you are coming from the opposite direction you need to get onto the right side of the road via the first roundabout you come to.

Further Information:-

Highdown Gardens has its own website: www.highdowngardens.co.uk/

If you go into this site you can download the information leaflet in advance.

 

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