Borde Hill
"One of the country's truly great gardens".
Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP
Facilities
-
Accessible loos
-
Accessible parking
-
Cafe / restaurant
-
Easily accessible without car
-
Facilities for children
-
Free parking
-
Garden only
-
Mostly wheelchair accessible
-
Parkland / open spaces
-
Pet friendly
-
Picnic area
-
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.
Opening Times
Garden and Parkland are open daily from 14th February to 23rd December 2026, 10am–5pm. From 2nd November, closing time moves to 3.30pm. Last admission is one hour before closing.
The Woodland reopens on Monday 23rd March 2026 and follows the same seasonal closing date of 23rd December.
Special Events and Activities
Magnolias in Bloom is a self-guided walk available from 15th April to 30th April 2026, 10am–5pm.
Ludo's Easter Adventure is a kids trail running from 15th April to 20th April 2026, 10am–5pm, during the Easter school holidays.
School Holiday Family Trails are available throughout the open season during school holidays. The Easter holiday trail runs from 15th–20th April 2026.
Woodland Walks are available from 23rd March onwards, during general garden hours (10am–5pm, 3.30pm from 2nd November).
Guided Tours
Group Guided Garden Tours and Group Specialist Tours are available throughout the open season (14th February – 23rd December 2026). Both must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
Facilities
The Adventure Playground is available throughout the open season during general garden hours. Wheelchair hire is also available during opening hours.
Dog walking access is permitted at all times during the open season (14th February – 23rd December 2026, 10am–5pm, 3.30pm from 2nd November).
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
Floristry Workshop: Nature Suspended
Borde Hill
Specialist Spring Plant Fair
Borde Hill
Make Your Own Cushion Cover – Block Printing Workshop
Borde Hill
Kids Trail: Eco Explorers
Borde Hill
Sink & Soften – An Evening Yoga Practice with Calli Popham
Borde Hill
Outdoor Family Theatre – Pinocchio
Borde Hill
Botanical Silk Scarf Workshop: The Art of Natural Dyes
Borde Hill
Rose Alchemy – Aromatherapy Workshop
Borde Hill
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
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £71 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
