Borde Hill
"One of the country's truly great gardens".
Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Garden only
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
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Shop
- Accessible parking
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible toilets
Borde Hill is a Grade II* listed English Heritage Garden set within 383 acres of woodland and parkland, with magnificent views across the Ouse Valley viaduct. It has been referred to by The Daily Telegraph as “planted with passion” and by Country Life as “one of the country’s truly great gardens”.
It was created by Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke from seeds gathered by the great plant hunters of the early 1900s. It was his philosophy that plants need to be placed in the right place.
Borde Hill is renowned for its astonishing collection of unusual trees and shrubs. It’s one of four private gardens of national importance and its exotic trees are recorded at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It is the origin of many hybrid plants including Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’ and Alstroemeria ‘Walter Fleming’.
The garden has distinct ‘rooms’, each with its own unique style and character. In the last 30 years many areas have been greatly enhanced and restored including the sub-tropical Round Dell, the sophisticated Rose Garden and romantic Italian Garden. Paradise Walk and the Italian Garden have recently been replanted using new design schemes by garden designer Chris Beardshaw.
An abundance of spring magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons give way to exuberant summer borders of roses and herbaceous plants followed by mellow autumn colour.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Garden and Parkland Opening Times
Main Season: 14th February to 1st November 2026
10am–5pm daily. Last admission is one hour before closing.
Autumn and Winter: 2nd November to 23rd December 2026
10am–3.30pm daily with half-price admission. Last admission is one hour before closing.
New Year: 29th December 2026 to 3rd January 2027
10am–3.30pm daily with half-price admission. Last admission is one hour before closing.
Please note: The gardens are closed 24th–28th December 2026.
Year-Round Facilities
The following are available throughout the open season during all garden opening hours:
- Adventure Playground
- Woodland Walks – dogs welcome on leads
- Parkland and Grounds Access
- Dog Walking – permitted in the garden, parkland and woodland at all times during open hours
- School Holiday Family Trails – available during school holidays
Special Events and Experiences
The Sussex Artists – 'Inspired by Nature' Exhibition
Sunday 13th September to 30th September 2026, 10am–5pm
Walled Kitchen Garden Tour
Sunday 20th September 2026, 11am–11.45am
Fungi Walk
Saturday 10th October 2026, 2pm–4pm
A Spellbinding Halloween – Kids Trail & Activities
17th October to 1st November 2026. Activities run on selected days throughout the school holiday period.
Autumn Foraging Walk with Terra Vitum
Friday 6th November 2026, sessions from 10am
A Family Christmas at Borde Hill – Kids Trail & Grotto
5th December 2026 to 3rd January 2027. This festive experience runs across the Christmas and New Year period. Please note the gardens are closed 24th–28th December.
Group Visits and Memberships
Pre-Booked Garden Tours with Expert Guides
Available during the open season for groups. Tours must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance to receive group discount pricing.
Exclusive Member Open Days
Members enjoy exclusive open days throughout the membership year.
This property offers free access to Historic Houses members during normal opening hours. Visitors can pre-book their admission timeslot in advance at www.bordehill.co.uk/book-now where there is a dropdown option for Historic Houses members. Please enter your membership number on the next screen and show your card on arrival.
There are also a number of membership options for the Gardens, which are all full listed on the Borde Hill website.
Day Admission:
Adult – £13.95
Concession – £12.95
Child (age 3-16) – £8.95
Family 1 Adult + up to 3 Children – £31.85
Family 2 Adults + up to 3 Children – £45.80
Under 3s – Free
Carer – Free
Discounted Group Rate of £11 per person (15+ people). Garden tours are available for pre-booked groups, as well as bespoke catering options. Full details can be found on the Borde Hill website.
- Accessible parking
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible toilets
Getting here
Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP
1½ miles north of Haywards Heath on Borde Hill Lane. 20 minutes from Brighton and Gatwick on the M23 via junction 10a.
Direct trains from London Bridge or Victoria to Haywards Heath (45 mins). Taxis at station 1.5 miles away.
Why our members love visiting Borde Hill Garden
Forthcoming events
Remember, special events are excluded from free entry for members
Autumn Wreath Making Workshop
Borde Hill
Folde Deeper – Wellbeing Retreat
Borde Hill
Halloween Activity: Magic Shows with Professor Hiccup
Borde Hill
Wand Making
Borde Hill
Halloween Fun with Tomfoolery
Borde Hill
Canopy Tree Climbing
Borde Hill
Halloween Activity: Spooky Spiders & Slithering Snakes
Borde Hill
Autumn Foraging Walk
Borde Hill
Christmas Candle Making Workshop
Borde Hill
Visionary Landscapes: Ink and Wash Masterclass
Borde Hill
Folde Deeper – Wellbeing Retreat
Borde Hill
Festive Bauble Embroidery Workshop
Borde Hill
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Borde Hill
Santa’s Grotto & Christmas Kids Trail
Borde Hill
Historic Houses nearby
High Beeches Woodland & Water Garden
Handcross, West Sussex, RH17 6HQ
St Mary’s House & Gardens
Bramber, West Sussex, BN44 3WE
Firle Place
Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6LP
Become a Historic Houses member
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