Eastbourne Tourist
Information Centre
Updated: 30 April 2014
Gardens
Herstmonceux Castle Gardens & Grounds
Address: Wartling Road, Herstmonceux BN27 1RN (11.4 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.herstmonceux-castle.com
Telephone: 01323 833816
Set in 600 acres of beautiful parkland and superb Elizabethan gardens. The gardens & grounds embody the
history of medieval England and the romance of renaissance Europe (note the Castle is not generally open to the
public)
How to get there; Take Stagecoach bus 98 to Herstmonceux (Does not operate on Sunday), to adjacent tothe
Brewers Arms. Then take a 35 minute walk to the castle (please be aware that there is no footpath on this road
and great care must be taken if you walk to the castle). Approximate journey time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
Alternatively take a Train to Pevensey & Westham Station then a taxi to the castle (taxi fare approx. £11.00).
Great Dixter
Address: Northiam, East Sussex TN31 6PH (27.4 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.greatdixter.co.uk
Telephone: 01797 252878
Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd – it was the focus of his
energy and enthusiasm and fuelled over 40 years of books and articles. Now under the stewardship of
Christopher’s friend and head gardener, Fergus Garrett, Great Dixter is an historic house and a garden.
How to get there; Take a Southern train Hastings (or Stagecoach bus 99). Then take Stagecoach bus 341 to
Northiam, to opposite The Crown and Thistle. Take a 10 minute walk to the garden. Approximate journey time
1 hour 55 minutes.
Pashley Manor Gardens
Address: Ticehurst, near Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 7HE (27.2 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.pashleymanorgardens.com
Telephone: 01580 200888
Pashley Manor is a quintessential English garden located on the Sussex and Kent border in the heart of South
East England’s garden country.
How to get there; Take a Southern train to St Leonards Warrior Square. Then take Stagecoach bus 304 or 305 to
Hawkhurst. From Hawkhurst take Stagecoach bus 254 to Ticehurst. Walk for 27 minutes to gardens.
Approximate journey time 2 hours 15 minutes.
Sheffield Park and Garden (National Trust)
Address: Sheffield Park, East Sussex TN22 3QX (25.9 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden
Telephone: 01825 790231
This magnificent informal landscape garden was laid out in the 18th century by 'Capability' Brown and further
developed in the early years of the 20th century by its owner, Arthur G. Soames. The original four lakes form
the centrepiece. There are dramatic shows of daffodils and bluebells in spring, and the rhododendrons and
azaleas are spectacular in early summer.
How to get there; You can only access these gardens by public transport on Saturday & Sunday. Saturday - Take
a Southern train to Lewes. Then walk about 10 minutes to Lewes bus Station. Take Compass bus 121 to garden.
On Sunday take a train to Haywards Heath then catch Compass 769 to garden.
Wakehurst Place (National Trust)
Address: Ardingly, near Haywards Heath, East Sussex RH17 6TN (36.6 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wakehurst-place
Telephone: 01444 894066
The National Trust's most visited place. Open throughout the year, Wakehurst is the country estate of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew. The varied landscape is of international significance for its beautiful botanic gardens and
tree collections, as well as for its science-based plant conservation and research.
How to get there; Take a Southern Train to Haywards Heath. Then take Metrobus 82 to Wakehurst Place
(operates Monday to Saturday). Approximate journey time 1 hour 45 minutes.
Nymans (National Trust)
Address: Handcross, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6EB (37.5 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans
Telephone: 01444 405250
Set in the High Weald with splendid views, the garden is a series of experimental designs with spectacular
planting and beauty all year. Both a horticulturalist's dream and a peaceful country garden.
How to get there; Take a Southern train to London Road (Brighton) station. Then take Metrobus 271 from
opposite Springfield Road (on Preston Road) to Handcross, opposite Combers, service operates Monday to
Saturday. Then walk 3 minutes to Nymans gardens. Approximate journey time 1 hour 50 minutes.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden (National Trust)
Address: Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB (32.7 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle
Telephone: 01580 710700
Sissinghurst Castle is a ruin of an Elizabethan manor house gently seated in the beautiful Weald of Kent. It was
once a prison to captured French seamen during the Seven Years War, a poor house & latterly a working farm.
How to get there; Take a Southern train to Ashford International. Then take a Southeastern train to Staplehurst.
At Staplehurst take an Arriva bus 5 to Sissinghurst, Recreation Ground. Then walk for about 25 minutes to
Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Journey time approximately 3 hours.
Groombridge Place Gardens & Enchanted Forest
Address: Groombridge, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9QG (33.5 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.groombridge.co.uk
Telephone: 01892 861444
Visit the award winning formal gardens and the Enchanted Forest.
How to get there; Take Stagecoach bus 51 to Tunbridge Wells. Then take Metrobus 291 to Groombridge.
Approximate journey time 2 hours 5 minutes.
Merriments Gardens
Address: Hawkhurst Road, Hurst Green, East Sussex TN19 7RA (24.2 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.merriments.co.uk
Telephone: 01580 860666
The four acre show garden is open daily in the Summer. Head gardener Sally and Steve have been hard at work
all winter to ensure the garden will be burgeoning with colour and vibrancy.
How to get there; Take Stagecoach bus 51 to Heathfield. Then take Renown coaches 318 to Hurst Green,
Station Road. Then walk 17 minutes to gardens. Approximate journey time 1 hour 45 minutes.
Borde Hill
Address: Borde Hill Lane, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XP (34.5 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.bordehill.co.uk
Telephone: 01444 450326
Situated on the outskirts of Haywards Heath in South East England, Borde Hill is a Grade II* listed garden that is
botanically rich and perfect for nature lovers, garden enthusiasts and families.
How to get there; Take a Southern train to Haywards Heath. Take Sussex bus 39 to opposite The Spinney (on
Penland Road). Then walk 14 minutes to Borde Hill garden. Approximate journey time 1 hour 35 minutes.
Penshurst Place & Gardens
Address: Penshurst, near Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG (41.5 miles from Eastbourne)
Web: www.penshurstplace.com
Telephone: 01892 870307
Considered one of the most beautiful gardens in England and also the oldest. There are 48 acres of grounds,
with the 11 acre formal walled garden one of the true splendours of Penshurst Place.
How to get there; Take Stagecoach bus 51 to Tunbridge Wells. Then take Southdown PSV bus 231 to Penshurst.
The gardens are a 3 minute walk from the bus stop. Approximate journey time: 2 hours 15 minutes.
Information in this leaflet has been compiled in good faith by Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre. We
always recommend you check that attractions are open and transport services are operating and confirm
times before departing. Please note that bus and train services quoted might not operate on every day;
please confirm travel details with;
National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Traveline South East (for buses & trains): 0871 200 2233
www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk