A "hidden gem" of a Sussex garden has been named among the 12 best to visit in the UK for early spring.

Borde Hill Garden in Haywards Heath was included on the list from The Guardian.

Discussing the creation of the list the newspaper said: "In the midst of winter with its low grey skies, the scents and colours of embryonic spring are a welcome morale booster.

"These gardens will offer spectacular views over the coming months, as banks of delicate snowdrops, and armies of budding daffs, bluebells and tulips return."

You can see the full list of the best UK gardens to visit in early spring on The Guardian website here.

What did The Guardian say about Borde Hill Garden?

The publication praised Borde Hill as a "hidden gem" and how visitors can be "transported around the world" due to the variety of plants on display.

They wrote: "With a self-guided spring trail through citrus-fragrant magnolia and flamboyant camellias, Borde Hill is a hidden gem.

"Five thousand February Gold narcissi have been newly planted for 2024 and there’s a cafe in the old Peacock House.

"Horticulturalist Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke began to create the garden when he bought the estate in 1893.

"He paid plant hunters to find seeds for Chinese tulip trees and white-flowered lacebarks from New Zealand so that visitors are transported around the world as they walk through it.

"Fragrant Chinese honeysuckle, dawn arrowwoods and lots more are flowering in early spring.

"From a formal Italian garden, where pine and eucalyptus are reflected in the lily pond, paths lead through subtropical ferns and palm trees to the wilder rhododendron garden, with its Himalayan hybrids, some blooming from March."

Borde Hill Garden opened for the season on February 10 and visitors can look forward to 5,000 newly planted narcissus bulbs along the North Park Walk, which are set to flower in February and March.


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Its renowned collection of blossoms are in their peak in February and March.

The garden will also showcase the emerging signs of spring including daffodils, snowdrops, crocus, and early flowering rhododendrons.

Borde Hill will be open daily from 10am to 5pm up until December 22 later this year.

Tickets cost £12 for adults, £11.50 for concessions and £8 for children (three to 16 years).