HIGH BEECHES WOODLAND AND WATER GARDEN -
EVENTS 2010
High Beeches Woodland and Water Gardens is in the heart of mid-Sussex, just off the A/M23 and within easy access of London, the South and South East. The beautiful and tranquil gardens are in the naturalistic, William Robinson style. Begun some 100 years ago, they are full of rare, historic and interesting plants and trees. High Beeches Gardens covers 27 acres.
The Bray/Boscawen gardening dynasty has cared for the gardens for fifty years. Their great passion is the ‘species’ forms of plants i.e. original, wild forms from around the world. The gardens are fully catalogued and contain thousands of specimens including numbered plants collected by famous plant hunters such as Ernest Wilson.
High Beeches has a number of champion trees, and is the only UK site where the magnificent blue Willow Gentian is naturalised. It is home to the National Collection of Stewartia and has the finest natural acid wildflower meadow in Sussex. It is considered to be one of the top gardens in the country for autumn colour and certainly the best in Sussex. Throughout High Beeches more than 200 species of wildflowers have been recorded by the Botanical Society of the British Isles.
The gardens offer seasonal interest, with glorious spring and early summer colour and fragrance. In June the wildflower meadow is at its peak. The Willow Gentians are a spectacular blue in August and High Beeches has magnificent and sumptuous autumn colour.
20 March, the gardens reopen for the 2010 season.
EASTER MONDAY, 5 April
Spring Flowers - the gardens open from 11 am (usually 1pm). Steven Moore of Rapkyns Nursery will be here with a plant stall. Stephen is one of the best nurserymen in the country and specialises in hardy plants. Sarah Raven of the Daily Telegraph has written about Rapkyns Nursery under the heading, one of ‘the best nurseries in Britain for year round inspiration”.
Enjoy lovely daffodils, Camellias and the early Magnolias. Visit the Daffodil Field of Hope. Everyone is welcome to commemorate their loved ones by signing the Memorial Book. There will be a collecting box at the gate for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
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NEW EVENT: PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES:
Throughout 2010 the Park Cameras School of Photography will be running a series of one day outdoor photography courses in the gardens.
The dates are; Friday, 9 April, 7 May 21 May, 18 June, 2 July, 6 August, 8 October and 22 October.
For more information please call Park Cameras on 01444 237070, www.parkcameras.com..
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 3 May
Gardens open from 11 am (usually 1pm). .
Sunday 23 May
High Beeches Gardens opens in support of the National Gardens Scheme..
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND 29,30,31 May
BONSAI WEEKEND - Gardens open from 11am (usually 1pm) on Bank Holiday Monday 31 May.
An amazing display from a top Bonsai group including Gold Medal Chelsea exhibits. Learn how to make your own Bonsai from a small, native sapling. Expert advice and demonstrations. Bonsai materials for sale. Also some crafts for sale..
NEW EVENT, JUNE 26, 27
open from 11am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday (usually 1pm). Explore with experts; the best, natural, acid, wildflower meadow in the south east, while it is full of flowers. The meadow has not been ploughed in living memory and has an outstanding variety of wild plants. More than 200 species of wildflowers have been recorded throughout the gardens. Guided tours with botanists. Find out about the rich local flora and fauna. A variety of nature and wildlife groups will be present. Displays and information leaflets. For more details please look on the website or contact High Beeches Gardens.
The National Collection of Stewartia Trees flower at the end of June. .
SUNDAY, 15 AUGUST
HEAVY HORSES from the WORKING HORSES TRUST, harrow the WILDFLOWER MEADOW. Gardens open from 11am (usually 1pm) Plants and crafts for sale and craft demonstrations. A fun day for all the family – one of our most popular events. Get close to the gentle giants and see how much they enjoy working the land. The stunning blue Willow Gentians will be in full flower. High Beeches Gardens is the only site in the UK where these plants are naturalised.
SUNDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER
High Beeches Gardens opens in support of the National Gardens Scheme.
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SUNDAY, 17 OCTOBER
AUTUMN GIFT FAIR in aid of the PARKINSONS DISEASE SOCIETY – Horsham branch.
The gardens open from 11am, (usually 1pm). A really popular and enjoyable occasion for those who appreciate the opportunity to purchase special things and who wish to wander through the gardens. Stalls will be selling plants, pewter and pashminas as well as cakes, jams, cards and small gifts.
High Beeches has the most glorious autumn colour in Sussex, with sumptuous displays of crimson, gold, orange, lime and dark green. Money raised will be used to support local people and helps fund a community worker as well as physiotherapy sessions at the local hospital.
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31 OCTOBER
the gardens close, reopening March 2011..
For further information please contact;
Sarah Bray,
High Beeches Gardens
High Beeches Lane
Hand Cross
West Sussex
RH17 6HQ
Tel: 01444 400589
Email: gardens@highbeeches.com
Day ticket £6.00. Accompanied children aged 14 and under - free entry. The gardens open everyday except Wednesdays, from 20 March – 31 October. Opening hours are 1-5pm. On special events days, the gardens usually open at 11am.
The Licensed Tea Room and Tea Garden offers a delicious choice of home-cooked snacks, lunches and cream teas. Picnic area also available.
Guided tours and groups, by appointment, please. For pre-booked groups, we are pleased to open the gardens out of season and out of hours.
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