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
Borde Hill is open daily from 14th February to 23rd December 2026. The garden opens at 10am, closing at 5pm until 1st November, when closing time moves to 3:30pm for the remainder of the season. Last admission is one hour before closing time.
Woodland
The Woodland area reopens on Monday 23rd March and remains closed prior to this date during the main garden season. Once open, it is accessible throughout the rest of the season until 23rd December, with the same last admission policy (one hour before closing).
Special Events and Activities
Kids Trail – Eco Explorers runs from 23rd May to 31st May, open 10am–5pm daily.
Rose Garden – 30th Anniversary Celebrations take place throughout June (1st–30th June).
The Adventure Playground is open throughout the main garden season.
Free School Holiday Family Trails are available during school holidays throughout the open season.
Group Visits and Tours
Group Guided Garden Tours are available throughout the open season and must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. A new offering for 2026 is the Walled Kitchen Garden Tour.
Group Self-Guided Garden Entry is also available throughout the season and requires booking at least 2 weeks in advance.
Members
Exclusive Member Open Days occur throughout the open season.
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
Rose Talk & Tour with Michael Marriott
Borde Hill
Open Air Opera: The Marriage of Figaro
Borde Hill
Music in the Garden
Borde Hill
Borde Hill Summer Series: Nile Rodgers & CHIC
Borde Hill
McFly – Borde Hill Summer Series
Borde Hill
Borde Hill Summer Series Presents: Becky Hill
Borde Hill
ABBA Under the Stars
Borde Hill
Tina Under the Stars
Borde Hill
In the Turning Light – A Morning Yoga Practice with Emily Phillips
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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