| Borde Hill Garden hosts more Champion Trees, the tallest or largest girth of their kind to be recorded in the British Isles, than any other privately-owned property in the country. On Sunday 12 July, visitors can enjoy a fascinated guided walk by head gardener, Andy Stevens, who will explain how to identify the 70 Champion Trees and divulge the vital statistics that have given them their name.
The two hour walks through one of the most historical garden landscapes in the country must be pre-booked. They start at 11am and 2pm and cost £2.50 per person (in addition to the usual Borde Hill entrance ticket price of £7.50 adult, £6.50 concession, £4.00 child).
The immense diversity of species at Borde Hill, which are listed by the Tree Register of the British Isles as Champions, range from Acer to Quercus, Picea and Sorbus. Many of these species are exceedingly rare, both in cultivation and their natural habitats, others are examples of common trees that thrive in the parkland. Most of the Champion Trees can be readily seen by visitors to the garden and the guided walks will follow a path through Borde Hill’s ancient woodlands, including Stephanie’s Glade and Warren Wood.
Following the Champion Tree Walks, Borde Hill’s Café Elvira provides refreshing lunches and afternoon teas and the Green Tree Gallery is well worth a visit for a delightful selection of gifts and souvenirs.
Described as 'One of the country's truly great gardens' by Country Life magazine, Borde Hill is more than just a beautiful and historic garden. It not only boasts outstanding views across 200 acres of Grade 11* listed parkland and woodland, but also a nationally important collection of fine trees and shrubs, including magnolia, camellia and rhododendron.
Borde Hill Garden, near Haywards Heath West Sussex, is open 20 March – 13 September and October half term 2009, 10am-6pm daily. To book a place on a walk, telephone 01444 450326. For further information, visit www.bordehill.co.uk Borde Hill Garden
Balcombe Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex RH16 1XP |
