Borde Hill Garden

Haywards Heath, United Kingdom

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Borde Hill Garden in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England, is a historic garden of national botanical importance, set within 383 acres of designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the High Weald.

The estate’s origins trace back to 1534, with the current house built in 1598 by Stephen Borde, grandson of Henry VIII's herbalist. The garden was developed enthusiastically over the past 130 years by five generations of the Stephenson Clarke family, who have planted and preserved a vast collection of plants, trees, and shrubs, including many champion trees.

It features a series of themed ‘garden rooms’, such as the Azalea Ring, Roman-style Italian Garden, Rose Garden, and a sub-tropical Round Dell. The garden showcases a dynamic collection of exotic and native plants from around the world, owing to plant hunting trips sponsored by the family in the early 1900s, resulting in one of the most significant private plant collections in the UK.

Renovations and modern redesigns, including efforts by acclaimed garden designer Chris Beardshaw, have kept the gardens fresh and engaging, offering visitors an immersive experience with seasonal displays, scenic landscapes, and recreational activities. Its rich history, diverse plant collections, and picturesque settings make Borde Hill a celebrated garden, recognized for its beauty and conservation efforts.