Borde Hill Garden
Encyclopedia
Borde Hill Garden is a garden
located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Haywards Heath
, West Sussex
in southern England
. It features over 200 acre of garden
, park
and woodlands accompanied by spectacular views across the Sussex High Weald
.
Borde Hill Garden is planted in distinctive “living garden rooms”, each offering a different character and style. It is home to many fine and rare shrubs: from rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias to rose
s, as well as numerous trees including one of the best collections of champion trees in a private property in Britain.
Borde Hill house was originally constructed in 1598 by Stephen Borde. After a variety of ownerships, Borde Hill was acquired by Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke in 1893, who was the first owner to plant the gardens and woodlands. Numerous extensions were made to the garden and house, however it was not until 1965 that Borde Hill Garden became a registered charity
and opened to the public, by Stephenson's son Sir Ralph Clarke
. The garden has won a variety of public awards and distinctions and is listed on the register of parks and gardens as Grade II* importance by English Heritage
.
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath
-Climate:Haywards Heath experiences an oceanic climate similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.-Rail:Haywards Heath railway station is a major station on the Brighton Main Line...
, West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
in southern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It features over 200 acre of garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
, park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
and woodlands accompanied by spectacular views across the Sussex High Weald
Weald
The Weald is the name given to an area in South East England situated between the parallel chalk escarpments of the North and the South Downs. It should be regarded as three separate parts: the sandstone "High Weald" in the centre; the clay "Low Weald" periphery; and the Greensand Ridge which...
.
Borde Hill Garden is planted in distinctive “living garden rooms”, each offering a different character and style. It is home to many fine and rare shrubs: from rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias to rose
Rose
A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows...
s, as well as numerous trees including one of the best collections of champion trees in a private property in Britain.
History
The first record of the estate dates back to 1534. The TudorTudor style architecture
The Tudor architectural style is the final development of medieval architecture during the Tudor period and even beyond, for conservative college patrons...
Borde Hill house was originally constructed in 1598 by Stephen Borde. After a variety of ownerships, Borde Hill was acquired by Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke in 1893, who was the first owner to plant the gardens and woodlands. Numerous extensions were made to the garden and house, however it was not until 1965 that Borde Hill Garden became a registered charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
and opened to the public, by Stephenson's son Sir Ralph Clarke
Ralph Clarke (British politician)
Colonel Sir Ralph Stephenson Clarke, KBE TD, DL was a British Conservative Party politician who served as Member of Parliament for East Grinstead from 1936 to 1955....
. The garden has won a variety of public awards and distinctions and is listed on the register of parks and gardens as Grade II* importance by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
.