Highdown Gardens

ūüĆĽūüĆĻ "So spring has well and truly sprung at Highdown and spring flowers are in abundance. Move over snowdrops the next show has arrived!" ūüĆļūüĆł
Jo, the head gardener at the nationally-important Highdown Gardens, explains why April is that start of something quite spectacular on this quiet corner of the south downs.
To discover more about what this collection of chalk-cultivated plants has to offer, read her latest blog by clicking on the link below.... ⬇⬇⬇
... https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/our-stor ies-your-counc…/…/…
See More

It's not just the Highdown gardeners who have been hard at work these past few weeks ūüźĚ These honey and bumble bees had full pollen baskets (located on their legs) at 7:45am when these pictures were taken!
Read the latest update from Highdown Gardens over on the Adur & Worthing Councils blog here: www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/our-stories-you‚ Ķ/highdown-gardens/‚Ķ
And let us know in the comments below whether spring has sprung in your garden...

ūüĆ≤ūüĆł After a short break, we're pleased to be back on the Adur & Worthing Councils blog to tell you all about our recent Snowdrop Festival! Did you join us?
Over to Peter Whish now to share more about the Garden's wonderful collection.
Click to read more... ‚¨áÔłŹ
... #OurStoriesYourCouncils
See More

You are invited...
Plans to improve Highdown Gardens for visitors while protecting the internationally important plants that grow there are to be the subject of a public consultation event.
More details below!

Supporters and regular visitors to Worthing’s famous gardens at Highdown are being invited to an open day to find out about progress on exciting plans for its future.
The Worthing Borough Council-owned gardens, a nationally important site, are currently the subject of a bid for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to help preserve its future.
Highdown Gardens was bequeathed to Worthing Borough Council by Highdown owner Sir Frederick Stern 50 years ago after a pioneering horticultura...l experiment which saw him confound critics by growing a stunning garden on chalk soil.
The Council wants to bring the story of the gardens to life and begin plans to propagate many rare plants as well as create an archive of all materials, letters and plant records concerning Stern’s project for the use of garden researchers and visitors.
Plans are also being developed to catalogue the number of different species in the garden, protect the valuable plants from damage, improve disabled access, extend opening hours, refurbish the greenhouses and provide activities for families.
Now the Council is inviting people to come to the gardens next Thursday (October 25) between 11am and 3pm to learn about how plans are progressing. Visitors will be greeted at the entrance and will be given updates by those working on the project to secure funding.
See More

We‚Äôre thrilled to have been awarded Gold for the third year running in the South East in Bloom awards! ūüŹÜūü•áūüėÄ
Here’s what the judges had to say about Highdown:
“Sir Fredrick Stern’s Highdown Garden is a garden of national importance hosting and preserving a national collection of his plant introductions, including many rare shrubs and trees. The garden continues to be maintained to a high standard by Worthing Borough Council in spite of cuts to local government spending.
... The two head gardeners; Jo Hooper and Peter Whish, are not only highly experienced horticulturalists but also very knowledgeable about, and respectful of, the garden's rich history. The plans to catalogue the number of different species in the garden, protect valuable plants from damage, improve disabled access, extend opening hours in the summer, rebuild the greenhouses and provide interactive displays for families are all to be welcomed.
The small team of professional staff gardeners are assisted in their work by a group of some 30 volunteers whose work is clearly valued and essential to the garden's maintenance, along with young people on work experience and apprentices.‚ÄĚ
Scoring the highest points this year 176 out of a possible 200, we are judged on criteria such as horticultural range and diversity, horticultural maintenance, sustainability, conservation, marketing and community involvement.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped to make this possible!
See More

Worthing's award-winning Highdown Gardens has scooped another honour - after being awarded a Certificate Of Excellence from renowned website TripAdvisor.
It is the third year running the unique open space has received the recognition, which is awarded to those attractions which continually gather top reviews from visitors.
Nestled amongst the idyllic South Downs, Highdown Gardens is one of West Sussex's most highly regarded gardens.
... Spread over 8.5 acres of land, the historic gardens are home to a unique National Collection of rare plants and trees.
It is run by Worthing Borough Council and is free for all visitors.
Cllr. Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council's Executive Member for Digital and Environmental Services, said: "Highdown is a real jewel in Worthing's crown and it's fantastic to see that the hard work from the team is being recognised by visitors.
"For anyone that has not visited this tranquil gem, I urge you to take a visit - you will not be disappointed."
For more details visit: www.highdowngardens.co.uk
See More

In his latest blog Gary talks us through the the history of paeonies at Highdown and also gives you a photographic library of all the existing peony plants at our gardens...
Read the full story below:

See head gardener Gary's latest blog here on the beauty of the Highdown lilacs. Come and visit us soon to make sure you don't miss out seeing them in all their glory...ūüĆ∑ūüĆļūüĆ∑

Gary says if you want to *really* experience all 360 degrees of Highdown this week - look up! ūüĎÜ
Grab a cuppa and read on to find out more about the latest blossom and blooms at Highdown in Gary Prescod's latest blog from Highdown Hill ...

It's the moment we have all been waiting for; the peonies are in bloom at Highdown!
The first to flower are the herbaceous peonies, here we have Paeonia daurica subsp. wittmanniana, with graceful single white blooms that hold in their centre anthers with pink filaments.
Do you have peonies in your garden? Share your pictures below...

Did you spot our Colin on The Chase last week?

PLANT OF THE WEEK | The Anemone Blanda.
Naturalizes well within wooded areas of the garden. The small daisy like flowers come in a range of shades from pure white to violet. They like part shade to full sun on moist well drained soil.
Apprentice Shaun thinks that the perfect companion plant for this Anemone is Scilla messeniaca, the combination is superb.

From Dutch Plant breeders to woodland walks, there's a lot to catch up on in Gary's latest blog!
Click below to find out more...

EASTER OPENING TIMES ūüź¶
Good Friday - 10:00am to 4:30pm Saturday - 10:00am to 4:30pm Easter Sunday & Monday - 10:00am to 6:00pm
... Who is planning a visit to Highdown this weekend?
See More

Have you read the latest blog from Gary?

SISATA - Open Air Theatre return to HIghdown this June with a radical re-imagining of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its publication.
To book tickets for this modern-day take on the infamous Gothic tale, visit: http://www.highdowngardens.co.uk/events-n ews/sisata/

Here's the latest installment from Gary on the Adur & Worthing Councils blog - enjoy!

The gardens are stunning and you can wander round to your hearts content. There is also a lovely walk outside the gardens and you can walk up and see for miles out to sea. Really love this place.

Serene garden full of surprises at every turn. Went today 30April and although too late for most of blossom the pink was stunning. Tulips amongst Forgetmenot beautiful. Locals are so very fortunate to have this wondrous place to visit.

My daughter and I absolutely love this place, we have great adventures here but we also love escaping into this tranquil world of a beautiful garden. Great place for a picnic.

Lovely place to take children. So magical. We used to always go on the last day of the summer hold and take a picnic.

We still go now even though the children have grown up. We just take their other halves with us. ÔŅĹ

Lovely gardens with plenty of places to picnic amongst well kept flowers and shrubs. Lovely for children and adults alike. We're very lucky to have this on our doorstep

It's rare for me to give a Five Star rating for anything but this place deserves it. An International Treasure. I sympathise with those who complain about dogs, they should be kept on a leash at all times and not be allowed to interfere with others enjoying the gardens.

It's been some years since I last went to these gardens. I loved it but I seem to remember a large rockery with pond and big white rocks. Has this been removed? Also I notice a lot of picnics happening, so are people allowed to bring chairs in to sit on as I noticed only picnic blankets? Me & my husband will certainly return as so tranquil and restful.

It was the first time I had been, and it being a beautiful sunny day it was busy with all ages seeming to enjoy it there. It was easy though to wander around or find somewhere quiet to sit and enjoy the flowers and plants. My only quibble is that the pond seemed to be overflowing with weeds and the fish seemed to have difficulty swimming through it at times. All in all a lovely place to visit and definitely somewhere I will return to soon.

It was a lovely day and walk around the garden after a nice picnic at the picnic table near the car park .

I love highdown gardens its beautiful peaceful and interesting all year round. I find it a real sanctuary and we often have a nap under the trees. When recovering from an illness last year I came here for my first tentative walk outside and it was very therapeutic . Thank you so much for keeping the atmosphere so calm.

I have to give the beautiful, well cared for gardens a 5* but I'm sad to say that I am having to be more careful about timing my visits. I take my elderly mother - it was a favourite spot for her and my late father. Yesterday, on her birthday, the visit was marred by, luckily only a couple, of people allowing their children to tear around and I was in fear of my mother being knocked to the ground. At her age that could have been very serious. There are acres of open countryside right next door. Why can't people in charge of children see that that is the place for kids to run around and scream (yes, they were doing that too) but that formal gardens are for quiet enjoyment. As a retired teacher my mother loves children but really found it sad that the adults can't see that there are appropriate places for different types of enjoyment.

I appreciate that the onsite staff can't do anything. We wondered if charging an entrance fee might help? If there is, as would seem.inevitable unfortunately, an accident caused by one of these unsupervised children, questions will be asked about health and safety.

On a positive note, thank goodness you don't allow dogs or bikes!

Most of the visitors were, as you would imagine, older adults looking for some peace and quiet (as is mentioned in the reviews as why this place is so popular). It's such a shame that this is taken away from them by a few thoughtless people.

Oh, and if you ask them not to? Rudeness :( So sad.

Beautiful place to relax and take in the nature around you. Some parts need a bit of attention but as a whole its wonderful! Would like to get married in the gardens!

Beautiful gardens built into the site of a chalk pit, donated to the people of Worthing by the late Major Stern. Free to all users with parking and toilet facilities. A lovely place to take children to let off steam or take a picnic, but do take your rubbish home with you please. There is also a very popular tea room next to it. Well worth a visit anytime of the year that it's open; usually Easter till end of October.

An idyllic piece of Paradise where you can relax surrounded by flowers and nature. And from a botanist's point of view, there are so many rare and fascinating plants to discover ... I find something new every time I visit!

Absolutely beautiful and extensive gardens and free to visit. If you want to know what chalk loving plants love that's the place to go. A lovely place to walk and picnic on a summers afternoon. Very highly recommended.

A real delight, these gardens are so beautiful all through the year, and with a unique and fascinating history. A must to visit in West Sussex.

The gardens are indeed beautiful and well kept, the fact that it is free is a bonus and even as a dog owner myself it is nice to have an area to enjoy free of dogs. The only reason it's not 5 stars is due to the toilets...not pleasant in this day and age really (maybe the design is to prevent vandalism?)

I enjoy a stroll around these local gardens a few times each year - nice and relaxing. Plenty of plants, flowers, trees, various themed areas to relax/rest in, and several species labeled to learn from. It's like a mini Botanic Gardens on our doorstep!

Too many dogs roaming around not on leads one nearly went under my wheels running about in car park by tea rooms I hasten to add. Dogs seem to overrun tea rooms and seating outside. As a lover of dogs myself I don't appreciate being surrounded by them roaming around leadless. The tea room staff aren't as friendly as used to be. Very of fish when I ordered just a pot of tea for 2. Teapot was one you'd find from Poundland and had massive chip on the side. Cups were just basic not like I've had before. And the wasps oh dear I'm glad I didn't have a scone and jam. In all I'm afraid Highdown tea rooms gone downhill rename it Highdown dog rooms. Gardens were in dire need of deheading too. Not impressed ÔŅĹ

The gardens are stunning and you can wander round to your hearts content. There is also a lovely walk outside the gardens and you can walk up and see for miles out to sea. Really love this place.

Serene garden full of surprises at every turn. Went today 30April and although too late for most of blossom the pink was stunning. Tulips amongst Forgetmenot beautiful. Locals are so very fortunate to have this wondrous place to visit.

My daughter and I absolutely love this place, we have great adventures here but we also love escaping into this tranquil world of a beautiful garden. Great place for a picnic.

Lovely place to take children. So magical. We used to always go on the last day of the summer hold and take a picnic.

We still go now even though the children have grown up. We just take their other halves with us. ÔŅĹ

Lovely gardens with plenty of places to picnic amongst well kept flowers and shrubs. Lovely for children and adults alike. We're very lucky to have this on our doorstep

It's rare for me to give a Five Star rating for anything but this place deserves it. An International Treasure. I sympathise with those who complain about dogs, they should be kept on a leash at all times and not be allowed to interfere with others enjoying the gardens.

It's been some years since I last went to these gardens. I loved it but I seem to remember a large rockery with pond and big white rocks. Has this been removed? Also I notice a lot of picnics happening, so are people allowed to bring chairs in to sit on as I noticed only picnic blankets? Me & my husband will certainly return as so tranquil and restful.

It was the first time I had been, and it being a beautiful sunny day it was busy with all ages seeming to enjoy it there. It was easy though to wander around or find somewhere quiet to sit and enjoy the flowers and plants. My only quibble is that the pond seemed to be overflowing with weeds and the fish seemed to have difficulty swimming through it at times. All in all a lovely place to visit and definitely somewhere I will return to soon.

It was a lovely day and walk around the garden after a nice picnic at the picnic table near the car park .

I love highdown gardens its beautiful peaceful and interesting all year round. I find it a real sanctuary and we often have a nap under the trees. When recovering from an illness last year I came here for my first tentative walk outside and it was very therapeutic . Thank you so much for keeping the atmosphere so calm.

I have to give the beautiful, well cared for gardens a 5* but I'm sad to say that I am having to be more careful about timing my visits. I take my elderly mother - it was a favourite spot for her and my late father. Yesterday, on her birthday, the visit was marred by, luckily only a couple, of people allowing their children to tear around and I was in fear of my mother being knocked to the ground. At her age that could have been very serious. There are acres of open countryside right next door. Why can't people in charge of children see that that is the place for kids to run around and scream (yes, they were doing that too) but that formal gardens are for quiet enjoyment. As a retired teacher my mother loves children but really found it sad that the adults can't see that there are appropriate places for different types of enjoyment.

I appreciate that the onsite staff can't do anything. We wondered if charging an entrance fee might help? If there is, as would seem.inevitable unfortunately, an accident caused by one of these unsupervised children, questions will be asked about health and safety.

On a positive note, thank goodness you don't allow dogs or bikes!

Most of the visitors were, as you would imagine, older adults looking for some peace and quiet (as is mentioned in the reviews as why this place is so popular). It's such a shame that this is taken away from them by a few thoughtless people.

Oh, and if you ask them not to? Rudeness :( So sad.

Beautiful place to relax and take in the nature around you. Some parts need a bit of attention but as a whole its wonderful! Would like to get married in the gardens!

Beautiful gardens built into the site of a chalk pit, donated to the people of Worthing by the late Major Stern. Free to all users with parking and toilet facilities. A lovely place to take children to let off steam or take a picnic, but do take your rubbish home with you please. There is also a very popular tea room next to it. Well worth a visit anytime of the year that it's open; usually Easter till end of October.

An idyllic piece of Paradise where you can relax surrounded by flowers and nature. And from a botanist's point of view, there are so many rare and fascinating plants to discover ... I find something new every time I visit!

Absolutely beautiful and extensive gardens and free to visit. If you want to know what chalk loving plants love that's the place to go. A lovely place to walk and picnic on a summers afternoon. Very highly recommended.

A real delight, these gardens are so beautiful all through the year, and with a unique and fascinating history. A must to visit in West Sussex.

The gardens are indeed beautiful and well kept, the fact that it is free is a bonus and even as a dog owner myself it is nice to have an area to enjoy free of dogs. The only reason it's not 5 stars is due to the toilets...not pleasant in this day and age really (maybe the design is to prevent vandalism?)

I enjoy a stroll around these local gardens a few times each year - nice and relaxing. Plenty of plants, flowers, trees, various themed areas to relax/rest in, and several species labeled to learn from. It's like a mini Botanic Gardens on our doorstep!

Too many dogs roaming around not on leads one nearly went under my wheels running about in car park by tea rooms I hasten to add. Dogs seem to overrun tea rooms and seating outside. As a lover of dogs myself I don't appreciate being surrounded by them roaming around leadless. The tea room staff aren't as friendly as used to be. Very of fish when I ordered just a pot of tea for 2. Teapot was one you'd find from Poundland and had massive chip on the side. Cups were just basic not like I've had before. And the wasps oh dear I'm glad I didn't have a scone and jam. In all I'm afraid Highdown tea rooms gone downhill rename it Highdown dog rooms. Gardens were in dire need of deheading too. Not impressed ÔŅĹ