Ancient Grandeur Comes To Life At Wakehurst Place Gardens

Located in charming Ardingly within the sprawling estate surrounding Wakehurst Place lies the Kews country parkland - Wakehurst Place Gardens

. This sprawling garden landscape that includes woodlands, water gardens and wetland conservation regions also houses the National Collections of hypericums, skimmias, betulas and nothofagus. Having spent over three decades building and developing the picturesque property, the 466 acre garden is the brainchild of Lord Wakehurst, who is also its namesake.

An integral part of the Royal Botanic Gardens retinue since the late 60s, the Wakehurst Place Gardens have been designed to consist of a one and a half hour walk through a number of temperate forest varieties. Starting the journey from the Wakehurst Place mansion, the first sites to meet the visitors eye are the set of formal gardens and lakes on the property. Next, they will encounter the ideally planted water gardens with vibrant Iris and other plant collections before moving on to the woodland region of the garden. Guests should not forget to take note of the azaleas and rhododendrons that decorate both quarters of the valleys expansive banks, providing a curious contrast with the dense woodland.

The Loder Valley Nature Reserve is another must-see attraction when touring the Wakehurst Place Gardens as its lush landscapes brimming with willow trees, reed swamps and ever present kingfishers are breathtaking to say the least. Other highlights include Horsebridge Wood with its vast lands and liquidambars while Westwood Lake, Wellingtonias and Douglas Fir groves are equally captivating points of interest on the route. Exposed tree roots winding over sand rocks is also a common site at the garden where herbaceous borders, walled gardens and far reaching lawns are also visible at every turn.

The Millennium Seed Bank is also worth the visit as it holds the record for preserving the most exhaustive and diverse collection of wild plant species in the globe. Home to 90% of Britains flora, the banks aim is to preserve 10% of the globes flora heritage paying special attention to endangered plant species that are rapidly disappearing due to skyrocketing human demand.

Accessible by wheelchair; shopping and snack facilities are also available at the property. Drop in at Seed Caf for a delicious sandwich or pick up a souvenir from the Kew sponsored gift store while beautiful plants are also on offer at the Plant Centre on-site.

Housed in a 16th century country residence, the Copthorne Hotel London Gatwick is one of the most refined Gatwick airport hotels in the region. Set within a 100-acre garden complete with its own woodlands, just 30 minutes from Brighton, Gatwick airport accommodation just got better.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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