Emma Reece, Head Gardener, says: The garden team has been working hard in readiness for the first National Garden Scheme (NGS) opening for 7 years. Due to not having our Car Park Field open this early in the year, online booking at ngs.org.uk is essential please. John is in charge of laying woodchip on the paths. This serves to prevent weeds and it also provides hours of fun for our blackbirds who love nothing more than flicking the chippings about. The path edges in the Woodland Garden are expertly edged by Steve using chestnut and oak timber from Beatons Wood. We cannot now imagine life in the garden without Harriet, our WRAGS student who started with us at the beginning of November. She has been pruning in the Woodland Garden. Bates Green Garden is really coming to life with snowdrops, crocus, winter aconites and hellebores coming into flower. There are many fragrant winter shrubs too and the birds are becoming more vocal every day.

What the NGS says: A welcome return to this plantswoman’s 2 acre tranquil garden of interest through the seasons. Woodland garden created around a majestic oak tree. Middle garden peaks in late summer. Courtyard gardens with seasonal container displays. Front garden a winter and spring joy with narcissi, primroses, violets, early tulips and coloured stems of cornus and salix. Wildlife pond and conservation meadow. Gardened for nature.

Features and Attractions: NGS visitors will be able to walk through the daffodil glade leading to a 24 acre ancient oak woodland. This wood has been owned by the McCutchan family for 100 yrs and is managed for conservation and diversity.

Press and Media Coverage: Interviewed by BBC Radio Sussex and appeared on South East Today when the garden opened for the first time since 2015 (April 2021).