Places to Visit

Bignor Roman Villa Bignor RH20 1PH – 01798 869259. Discovered over 200 years ago, one of the largest Roman villas to be open to the public, with fine mosaics, tea room and gift shop. Open 9th April – 31st October Monday and Thursday – Sunday, 10am – 4.30pm, open 7 days a week in August.

Fishbourne Roman Palace Roman Way, Chichester PO19 3QR – 01243 785859. Roman palace with the largest mosaics in situ in the UK, recreated formal gardens and family activities. Open March – September, 10am – 5pm, February, October and November, 10am – 4pm.

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham RH13 6PP – 08718 733389. This magnificent Grade I listed garden was nearly lost forever and has been the subject of the largest garden restoration in England and possibly Europe. With Michelin starred restaurant, boutique hotel, sculpture trail, wallaby enclosure and art gallery. Open 364 days a year. See competition facing page

Nymans House and Gardens (National Trust) Handcross, Haywards Heath RH17 6EB – 01444 405250 Metrobus 271 and 273. Natural play trail, lovely walks in the Millennium Wood, cafe, gift shop, second-hand bookshop and family programmes in school holidays. Gardens open daily all year round. See website for dates for visiting the house. See advert back cover

Parham House and Gardens Pulborough RH20 4HS (for satnav use RH20 4HR) – 01903 742021. Well-loved family home; its foundation stone was laid in 1577 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. With collections of period furniture, needlework, clocks, paintings and award winning gardens.

Priest House North Lane, West Hoathly RH19 4PP – 01342 810479. Early 15th century hall house with a traditional cottage garden. Once owned by Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell, Anne of Cleves, Mary I and Elizabeth I. It is now furnished with 17th and 18th century country furniture and the garden is planted with over 170 culinary, medicinal and household herbs. Open March –October 10.30am – 5.30pm, open Sundays 12pm – 5.30pm. Closed Mondays except bank holidays.

Sheffield Park and Garden (National Trust) TN22 3QX – 01825 790231. Four lakes form the heart of the garden, with paths circulating through the glades and wooded areas surrounding them. Each owner has left their impression, which can still be seen today in the layout of the lakes, the construction of Pulham Falls, the planting of Palm Walk and the many different tree and shrub species from around the world. Parkland open daily dawn till dusk, garden open daily between 10am – 5pm. See competition p12 Standen House and Garden (National Trust) West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead RH19 4NE – 01342 323029 Metrobus 84. Arts and Crafts family home with Morris and Co interiors, great views and woodland walks. Open all year round. See advert back cover St. Mary’s House Bramber BN44 3WE – 01903 816205. Medieval house and 5 acres of gardens which are still lived in. Open May –September, Sundays and Thursdays, 2pm – 6pm, see website for opening dates and times of seasonal events.

Sussex Prairie Garden Henfield BN5 9AT – 01273 495902. Britain’s largest ‘Prairie’ or ‘Naturalistic’ garden, with eight acres of stunning garden to roam around. Open June to mid-October.

Wakehurst Gardens and Millennium Seed Bank Ardingly, Haywards Heath RH17 6TN – 01444 894066 Metrobus 272. ‘Kew in the Country’, botanic gardens run by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. With lots of walks, children especially love the rocky Himalayan Garden. Explore the Adventurous Journeys natural play spaces, Rock Walk and Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, plus restaurant, café, plant and gift shop. Open daily at 10am. Weald and Downland Open Air Museum Singleton, Chichester PO18 0EU – 01243 811363. Fascinating collection of historic buildings dismantled from their original locations and reassembled in 40 acres of Sussex countryside, includes woodland walks, picnic areas and farm animals. Open January – 23rd December, 10.30am – 6pm during summer and 10.30am – 4pm during winter, see website for details of seasonal events.

West Dean Gardens West Dean, near Chichester PO18 0QZ –01243 818210. Highlights include a 300-foot-long Edwardian pergola, newly restored Sunken Garden, walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses and a beautiful parkland walk with views over the South Downs. Open May – September on Sundays and bank holidays only, 2.30pm – 5pm.

Museums and Galleries

Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre nr Arundel BN18 9LT – 01798 831370. Home to a collection of listed buildings and monuments linked to the area’s industrial past , many of which have been relocated from around Sussex. There are also vintage vehicles, rural crafts and woodland walks, plus many events planned throughout the year. Open February – October, Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 4.30pm, November – January, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 4pm.

Booth Museum of Natural History 194 Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 5AA – 03000 290901. Quirky celebration of natural history including magnificent display of stuffed birds, butterflies and fossils, and bones dating from dinosaur times. Open Monday, Tuesday and Saturday 10am – 5pm, plus Wednesday 2pm – 5pm in term time and 10am – 5pm in school holidays, admission free.

Christ’s Hospital Museum Horsham RH13 0YP – 01403 247444. Christ’s Hospital Museum represents and celebrates the remarkable 465 year history of one of the oldest boarding schools in England. Open on Tuesday and Thursday, 10am – 4pm and during term time, call before visiting.

Crawley Museum 103 High Street, Crawley RH10 1DD – 01293 539088. Permanent displays of Crawley’s history, from the Stone Age to the development of the new town, plus changing exhibitions. Open Thursday – Saturday, 10.30am – 4pm, admission free.

East Grinstead Museum Old Market Yard, Cantelupe Road, East Grinstead RH19 3BJ – 01342 302233. Telling the story of East