BORDE Hill Garden’s 20th Anniversary Art and Sculpture Exhibition was officially opened on Thursday, May 9, by Juliet Sargeant, TV presenter and RHS gold medal winning garden designer, who was joined by Tom Acott from 1st Central Insurance and Andrewjohn Stephenson Clarke of Borde Hill, in the presence of sculptors and invited dignitaries.

The exhibition, which is sponsored by 1st Central, runs from now until the September 30, transforming the historic Sussex garden at Borde Hill into a stunning outdoor gallery, with towering kinetic wind art and mythological figures.

The carefully selected curated sculptures are strategically placed throughout the 17-acre formal garden, working in harmony with Borde Hill’s renowned horticultural collection.

The exhibition includes 100 figurative and abstract works in a diverse range of materials from bronze to glass. As well as some familiar artists returning to be part of this special celebration of art, the exhibition also provides a show case for a number of new artists from around the UK, with several sculptures the public won’t have seen before.

Andrewjohn Stephenson Clarke, managing director and custodian of Borde Hill Garden, said: “The sculpture exhibition is the best we’ve ever held in the garden and I would like to thank the artists displaying their works and Andrew Loin for putting the exhibition together.”

Andy James, UK chief of sponsor 1st Central, said: “We’re delighted to continue our support of the sculpture exhibition in this, its 20th year.

“Against a splendid backdrop, the event provides a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see some amazing pieces by artists from across the country. We’re very privileged to have such a stunning attraction in our local community.”

Some of the highlights of the exhibition include Will Carr’s kinetic wind sculpture Transfiguration which will captivate viewers as it twists and turns in the breeze in front of the Elizabethan Mansion.

Wandering further into the garden rooms, visitors will encounter Icarus I by Nicola Godden, a striking winged figure commissioned for the London 2012 Olympic Village. The mythological theme continues with Narcissus by Teresa Wells, a figurative bronze inspired by the boy who fell in love with his own reflection.

Exploring the garden’s hidden spaces, visitors will stumble across exquisite stone carvings, alongside works in resin, glass and ceramic.

Many pieces will draw inspiration from the natural world, including Petals by Nicolas Moreton, Bloom by Zoe Singleton and Feathers 2 by Stephanie Cushing. The pioneer of stone-balancing art, Adrian Gray, will defy the laws of nature with his large weathered stones and boulders. Balancing precariously, they will fascinate visitors with their impossibility.

Smaller pieces are exhibited inside the Glasshouse and Green Tree Gallery, encouraging visitors to explore every nook and cranny of the historic garden and grounds. All works are on sale, with something to suit every taste and pocket.

The exhibition runs daily until September 30 with admission included in the standard entry price.

One of several world-class gardens, Borde Hill consists of a stunningly beautiful and botanically-rich landscaped garden, traditional parkland, magical woods and tranquil lakes. Listed by English Heritage as being of Grade II* historic importance and situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the High Weald, it is among the most popular gardens in Sussex for visitors seeking horticultural inspiration and a peaceful stroll.

Borde Hill was purchased by Colonel Stephenson R Clarke in 1893 with the vision to create the Garden. He quickly established a collection of rare trees and shrubs by sponsoring plant-hunting expeditions to China, Burma, Tasmania and the Andes.

For more than a century, four generations of the Stephenson Clarke family have lovingly tended the extensive 200-acre estate, ensuring that, like any living entity, Borde Hill does not stand still in time but continues to develop and grow. Andrewjohn Stephenson Clarke, who now lives with his family at Borde Hill House, takes an active involvement in the garden and is keen to continue its development and enhancement.

At its heart, Borde Hill House, an Elizabethan mansion dating from 1590, provides a superb backdrop to the formal 17-acre garden that flows into a series of distinctive, garden rooms, each with its own individual character and style.

Over the past century, the plantings have evolved with the aim of providing seasonal colour and interest. Early spring-flowering bulbs are followed by magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas into April and May.

Spring is magnificent throughout the garden and rooms of special note at this time include the Old Rhododendron Garden, Azalea Ring and Garden of Allah. The sub-tropical Round Dell and Long Dell planted with a Sino-Himalayan theme, have a magical air and these sheltered areas within the mature landscape bring unexpected pleasure to visitors during the opening seasons.

Opening Times and Prices

March 25 – November 3, 10am to 5pm, daily

Prices with Gift Aid (standard prices in brackets)

Adult – £9.50 Gift Aid (£8.55)

Concession* – £9.00 Gift Aid (£8.100

Child (aged 3-16) – £6.35 Gift Aid (£5.70)

Child under 3 – free

*Concession rates apply to visitors with a disability, students with ID and 60+ claiming a pension.