Merriments Gardens and Café in East Sussex will be welcoming visitors to a free Open Day on Saturday 10 October 2026, offering complimentary garden admission, guided tours, family activities including a children’s garden trail, plant stall and a prize draw. Garden season tickets purchased on the day will also be reduced by £5.
Garden Tours by head gardener Dan Warne will take place at 11am and 3pm, highlighting some of the changes made to the four-acre gardens earlier in the season including restored water features and new planting. Dan will explain how the team have created new areas for visitors to discover such as the beehive area in the meadows. He will also talk about Merriments gardens being pesticide free to protect and encourage insects and wildlife into the gardens.
Dogs on leads are always welcome at Merriments in both the gardens and Conservatory Café. Water bowls are available all around the gardens, often next to garden seating areas making it a comfortable place for visitors and their four-legged companions to relax. There is also a new children’s play area tucked away behind the new café.
The paths are accessible and wheelchair friendly, ensuring the gardens can be enjoyed by all.
Garden and wildlife lovers, families and anyone looking for an inspiring and relaxing day out should come along on the open day when the gardens will be open between 8.30am and 4.30pm. The Conservatory Café will be open with a breakfast and lunch menu and children can take part in a ‘find the word’ hunt in the garden all day. You can pick up instructions in the café.
Set just off the A21 before the village of Hurst Green, Merriments is an easy-to-reach countryside escape in Sussex.
The gardens and Conservatory Café are open daily throughout the year. There is no need to purchase garden admission if you just wish to visit the Conservatory Café. Normal garden admission is £8 for adults and children under 15 free.
The gardens are now owned by Caravan Tech, a well-established family-run business which relocated from their previous site in Hurst Green to this idyllic countryside location.
Since Caravan Tech acquired the site, Merriments has undergone extensive renovation and improvement, including the opening of a welcoming new conservatory café. The result is a relaxed destination where visitors can combine a walk through the gardens with freshly prepared food and drink.
Merriments Café
Merriments chefs will be serving breakfast and lunch in the Conservatory Café during the open day alongside a selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes and refreshments.
Family Activities and Prize Draws
Families can take part in the children’s ‘Find the Word’ trail, while all visitors can enter a free prize draw with the chance to win tea and cake in the café, a Sunday roast for two, or an annual garden ticket.
Season tickets can be purchased from the café, offering free entry to the gardens throughout the year. Prices are £35 for a single ticket and £55 for a joint ticket, with £5 off all season tickets bought during the Open Day.
Location
Merriments Gardens is situated at Hawkhurst Road, Hurst Green, Etchingham, East Sussex, TN19 7RA.
Merriments Gardens
Merriments Gardens in East Sussex is a hidden gem, tucked away behind tall hedges. Spanning four acres, the gardens are thoughtfully designed with beautiful, colour-themed borders, offering an inspiring variety of plants that provide year-round interest. In spring, visitors are welcomed by delicate wildflowers and a meadow filled with blue camassia. Mature magnolias and vibrant tulips give way to peonies, azaleas, and rhododendrons. In summer, roses, poppies, and an array of blooms take centre stage, while autumn brings a striking display of fiery foliage. Guests can also explore a medicinal garden filled with fragrant herbs.
Garden Style and Features
Merriments Gardens combines a relaxed atmosphere with both classic and contemporary elements. The grounds feature a harmonious mix of formal and natural plantings set across a gently sloping, south-facing landscape. Several water features add to the tranquil ambiance, and a bird hide provides a peaceful spot to observe birds feeding undisturbed.
Accessibility and Facilities
The gardens are open every day of the year and provide ample free parking. Paths are designed for accessibility, making them suitable for wheelchair users. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, provided they are kept on leads in the gardens and café areas.
Merriments Café
Merriments Café is open seven days a week, offering a welcoming space to enjoy a variety of refreshments. Guests can relax with coffee or drinks, including Merriments Gin, savour freshly prepared lunches, indulge in afternoon tea, or enjoy a traditional Sunday Roast (served on Sundays). The café is the ideal place to unwind after exploring the gardens.
Events and Special Experiences
For information about upcoming garden events and special evening dining experiences at the café or restaurant, visitors are encouraged to visit the Merriments website.
