{"id":29763,"date":"2026-03-10T11:18:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T11:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/?p=29763"},"modified":"2026-03-10T11:19:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T11:19:25","slug":"daffodils-offer-a-wonderful-sunny-face-to-the-world-at-national-garden-scheme-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/daffodils-offer-a-wonderful-sunny-face-to-the-world-at-national-garden-scheme-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Daffodils offer a wonderful sunny face to the world at National Garden Scheme gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Daffodils offer a wonderful sunny face to the world and help lift our spirits as spring arrives. Many West Sussex National Garden Scheme gardens have hosts of daffodils, some in drifts, some scattered among orchards or in borders, beds and pots. Here\u2019s a taster of what\u2019s in store in 2026.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h5>

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors The National Garden Scheme have donated over \u00a377.8 million to nursing and health charities and in 2025 made an annual donation of over \u00a33.8 million. The core beneficiaries include Carers Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Parkinson\u2019s UK and The Queen\u2019s Institute of Community Nursing. The National Garden Scheme doesn\u2019t just open beautiful gardens for charity \u2013 they are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. They also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health and grant bursaries to help community gardening projects.<\/p>

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Eleven <\/strong>beautiful West Sussex NGS gardens will be opening their gates for charity this April.<\/strong><\/p>

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The Old Vicarage The Street, Washington, RH20 4AS <\/strong>https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/21793\/the-old-vicarage<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

opens every Thur 5 Feb to 1 Oct (10am-4pm). Adm \u00a310, chd free. Pre-booking essential, please visit www.ngs. org.uk for information & booking. Self service light refreshments on Thurs (cash only) & picnics welcome. Also open Mon 6 Apr, Mon 31 Aug (10am-5pm). Adm \u00a310, chd free. Home-made teas. Purchase ticket in advance or at the gate on the day. Visits also by arrangement 16 Mar to 1 Oct for groups of 10 to 30. No private group visits on Thursdays. <\/strong>A truly creative garden, nurtured over 35 years to become a visitor favourite. Spanning over 3 acres, it features formal topiary, seasonal borders, a contemporary water sculpture, an Italianate gazebo, specimen and mature trees, a Japanese garden with waterfall and tea house, a large copse with a stream, a stumpery and treehouse, and a kitchen garden with fruit trees. With 4000 tulips and bulbs planted annually, the garden also opens in Feb for snowdrops. WC available. Featured in RHS The Garden magazine, March 2025. Regional Finalist, The English Garden\u2019s The Nation\u2019s Favourite Gardens 2021. Wheelchair access to front garden; rear garden is on a slope.<\/p>

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Peelers Retreat<\/strong> 70 Ford Road, Arundel, BN18 9EX. <\/strong>https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/23227\/peelers-retreat<\/a><\/p>

Opens Sat 4, Sat 18, Tue 28 Apr, Sat 23, Tue 26 May, Tue 2, Sat 6, Tue 16 June, Tue 7, Sat 11, Tue 21 July (2-5). Adm \u00a35, chd free. Home- made teas. Refreshments in aid of Chestnut Tree House children\u2019s hospice.<\/strong> This inspirational space is a delight with permanent gazebos and comfortable seating to sit and relax, enjoying delicious teas. When cold we light the fire for our guests. Interlocking beds packed with year-round colour and scent, shaded
by specimen trees, inventive water features and a range of quirky woodland sculptures.<\/p>


Rymans Appledram Lane South, Apuldram, Chichester, PO20 7EG. <\/strong>https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/4769\/rymans<\/a><\/p>

Opens Sat 11, Sun, 12 Apr, Sun 14 June, Sun 13 Sept (2-5). Adm \u00a38, chd free. Refreshments in aid of St Mary\u2019s Church, Apuldram. Visits also by arrangement 11 Apr to 25 Sept for groups of 10 to 30.<\/strong><\/p>

Walled and other gardens surround a C15 stone house (not open). Featuring bulbs, flowering shrubs, roses, ponds, a potager, and many unusual and rare trees and shrubs. In late spring, the wisterias are spectacular. Hybrid musk roses fill the walled garden in June, and in late summer, the garden is filled with dahlias, sedums, late roses, sages, and Japanese anemones<\/p>

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Chalk Farm Flowers<\/strong> Rogers Lane, Findon, Worthing, BN14 0RE.<\/strong><\/p>

https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/47189\/chalk-farm-flowers<\/a><\/p>

Opens Sat 18 Apr (9-5.30); Sun 19 Apr (10-4.30); Sat 8 Aug (9-5.30); Sun 9 Aug (10-4.30). Adm \u00a36, chd free. Pre-booking essential, please visit www.ngs.org. uk for information & booking. Light refreshments.
<\/strong>A sustainable working flower farm, run by two young horticulturalists with a passion for the environment. Our mission is to spread the word about British-grown flowers and share our story with visitors. We grow a wide range of flowers across a 1 acre site, where fresh, chemical-free bunches are available. You can also enjoy refreshments with a beautiful view of the flower field. Wheelchair access over gentle slopes and wide grassy and bark paths alongside the flower farm growing beds.<\/p>

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Fittleworth House Bedham Lane, Fittleworth, Pulborough, RH20 1JH. <\/strong><\/p>

https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/14546\/fittleworth-house<\/a><\/p>

Opens for NGS every Wed 22 Apr to 13 May, 22 July to 5 Aug (2-5). Adm \u00a36, chd free. Home-made teas. Refreshments in aid of Cruse Bereavement Support. Visits also by arrangement 23 Apr to 6 Aug for groups of 5 to 40. Parking for a coach available.<\/strong><\/p>

A tranquil, romantic 3-acre country garden with a redesigned walled kitchen garden growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers, including a large collection of dahlias. A large glasshouse, an old potting shed, mixed flower borders, roses, rhododendrons, and lawns. A magnificent cedar tree overlooks the wisteria- covered, Grade II listed Georgian house (not open). A wild garden with long grass and a 70-metre naturalised stream with ferns and hydrangeas. Featured in The English Garden (Dec 2024) and Gardens Illustrated (April 2025) magazines. The garden sits on a gentle slope but is mostly accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.<\/p>

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NEW 53 Cedar Drive Chichester, PO19 3EH. <\/strong><\/p>

https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/48728\/53-cedar-drive<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Opens Sat 25, Sun 26 Apr, Sat 18, Sun 19 July (10.30-5). Combined adm with 25 Parklands Road \u00a37, chd free. Tea, coffee & cake.<\/strong><\/p>

This garden behind a 1937 semi plays host to a venerable Bramley. Other trees, such as Tibetan birch and Photinia <\/em>\u2018Red Robin\u2019, were chosen for their colour, which is carried through the seasons by tulips, Geum, Alstroemeria, dahlias, cannas, roses, and penstemon. Cotinus and Heuchera enrich the palette. Hard landscaping and a potting shed, added in 2022, helped to pull the plant collection into a cohesive
51 Carlisle Road design.<\/p>

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NEW 25 Parklands Road Chichester, PO19 3DX. <\/strong><\/p>

https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/48595\/25_parklands_road<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Opens Sat 25, Sun 26 Apr, Sat 18, Sun 19 July (10.30-5). Combined adm with 53 Cedar Drive \u00a37, chd free. Tea, coffee & cake. Visits also by arrangement 18 Apr to 7 July for groups of up to 6. <\/strong><\/p>

Developed from rough grass in 2020, this exuberant gravel garden was created by its artist owner. Contrasting foliage, less common plants, and effervescent flowers linger long. Many plants self-seed, increasing a natural look.
This west facing town garden is loosely divided into three sections, with a fine greenhouse housing fascinating cacti and succulents.<\/p>

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Manor of Dean Tilling<\/strong>ton, Petworth, GU28 9AP. Opens Sun 1 Feb (2am-4pm); Sun 22 Mar, Sun 26 Apr (2pm-5pm). Adm \u00a36, chd free. Tea, coffee & cake. Visits also by arrangement 2 Feb to 19 June for groups of 20+.<\/strong><\/p>

https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/3616\/manor-of-dean<\/a><\/p>

Approx 3 acres of traditional English garden with extensive views of the South Downs. Herbaceous borders, early spring bulbs, bluebell woodland walk, walled kitchen garden with fruit, vegetables and cutting flowers. NB under long term programme of restoration, some parts of the garden may be affected.<\/p>

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Newtimber Place Newtimber, Hassocks. BN6 9BU.<\/strong><\/p>

https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/735\/newtimber-place<\/a><\/p>

Opens Sun 26 Apr (2-5.30). Adm \u00a37, chd free. Home-made teas. Refreshments in aid of Mid Downland Parish (local churches).
<\/strong>Beautiful C17 moated house (not open). Gardens and woods full of bulbs and wild flowers in spring. Herbaceous border and lawns. Moat flanked by water plants. Mature trees, wild garden, and ducks. Wheelchair access across lawn to parts of garden, tearoom and WC.<\/p>

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Denmans Garden Denmans Lane, Fontwell, BN18 0SU<\/strong><\/p>

https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/5576\/denmans-garden<\/a><\/p>

Opens for NGS: Mon 16 Feb (snowdrop day), Mon 27 Apr, Mon 26 Oct (9.30-4). Adm \u00a310, chd \u00a38. Pre-booking essential, please phone 01243 278950, email office@denmans.org or visit www.denmans. org for information & booking. Light refreshments. <\/strong>For other opening times and information, please phone, email or visit garden website. Award-winning Grade II registered tranquil contemporary garden, created by gravel gardening pioneer Joyce Robinson and developed by renowned landscape designer John Brookes MBE. Known for its curvilinear layout and complex planting, features including year-round colour, unusual plants, structure and fragrance in the gravel gardens, dry riverbeds, ponds, walled garden, and conservatory. Plant Nursery with specially selected and unusual shrubs, grasses, ferns, and herbaceous perennials. The Gift Shop has beautifully curated gifts and locally made products. Midpines Cafe\u0301 serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea.<\/p>

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Highdown Gardens Highdown Rise, Littlehampton Road, Goring-by- Sea, Worthing, BN12 6FB. <\/strong><\/p>

https:\/\/findagarden.ngs.org.uk\/garden\/6351\/highdown-gardens<\/a><\/p>

Opens for NGS Wed 29, Thur 30 Apr (10am-7pm). Adm by donation. For other opening times and information, please email or visit garden website. <\/strong>Highdown Gardens were created by Sir Frederick Stern. They are home to rare plants and trees, many grown from seed collected by Wilson, Farrer and Kingdon-Ward. A fully equipped glasshouse enables the propagation of this National Plant Collection. A visitor centre shares stories of the plants and people behind the gardens. An accessible path leads to a sensory garden with a secret sea view. Highdown is also Peony Identification tours on 29 and 30 April, for more information and booking, see garden website. Accessible top pathway and lift to visitor centre, see garden website accessibility page for full details.<\/p>

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To learn more about the National Garden Scheme, discover your perfect garden or find out how to open your own garden, visit ngs.org.uk For gardens opening across East and West Sussex, pick up a copy of The National Garden Scheme Sussex Booklet, available free from many local stores, garden centres and libraries and as an online Flip Book https:\/\/www.galleries.co.uk\/NGS\/sussex26\/<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Daffodils offer a wonderful sunny face to the world and help lift our spirits as spring arrives. Many West Sussex National Garden Scheme gardens have hosts of daffodils, some in drifts, some scattered among orchards or in borders, beds and pots. Here\u2019s a taster of what\u2019s in store in 2026.\u00a0 Thanks to the generosity of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":29764,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1173],"tags":[],"directory-category":[],"event_categories":[],"class_list":["post-29763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-garden-scheme"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-08 03:32:51","action":"change-status","newStatus":"trash","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29763"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29763\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29768,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29763\/revisions\/29768"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29763"},{"taxonomy":"directory-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/directory-category?post=29763"},{"taxonomy":"event_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-sussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event_categories?post=29763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}