Sussex


<p>Not going to make it to the Chelsea Flower Show this year? Happily, Sussex’s horticultural calendar is blooming with local events where the roses are just as fragrant, there&#8217;s no need to elbow your way to an up-close encounter with the delphiniums, and the cake might just be even better. </p>



<p>From secret gardens and specialist plant fairs to botanical festivals and expert talks,&nbsp;here are the garden events flowering near you this season. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sarah-raven-open-days-perch-hill-various-dates"><a href="https://www.sarahraven.com/products/june-and-july-open-days" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarah Raven Open Days</a>, Perch Hill, various dates</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/perch_hill.png" alt="Perch Hill, Sussex" class="wp-image-84803" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/perch_hill.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/perch_hill-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/perch_hill-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/perch_hill-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/perch_hill-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Sarah Raven</figcaption></figure>



<p>Sarah Raven&#8217;s catalogues are catnip to flower lovers but if your seed splurge hasn&#8217;t quite yielded the results you were hoping for (us neither!), head to the botanical mother ship to see how it should be done. Cut yourself a bit of slack though: this garden&#8217;s also been 30 years in the making, and she&#8217;s single-handedly brought dahlias back into fashion along the way. You can choose from a morning or afternoon garden-only slot, with the café and shop both open for post-wandering treats, or you can add lunch to your ticket. Sarah will also be giving talks at various times if you&#8217;re after the inside track on what&#8217;s afoot at Perch Hill. For something more intensive, treat yourself to a ticket to the <a href="https://www.sarahraven.com/products/demo-dinner-evening-summer-flower-garden-shane-connolly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinner and demo evening</a> on <strong>17 Jun</strong>. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-driftwood-by-sea-seaford-1-jun-2-aug"><a href="http://www.geoffstonebanks.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Driftwood by Sea</a>, Seaford, 1 Jun-2 Aug</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/driftwood.png" alt="Driftwood by Sea, Seaford, Sussex" class="wp-image-84799" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/driftwood.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/driftwood-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/driftwood-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/driftwood-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Geoff Stonebanks</figcaption></figure>



<p>Monty Don himself is a fan of this celebrated seaside garden. It&#8217;s open by arrangement for groups of up to 25 and the inconvenience of not being able to rock up on a whim is more than outweighed by your visit being a more personal experience. Its creator is Geoff Stonebanks. In lieu of the likes of lawns and herbaceous borders he&#8217;s designed a series of garden rooms displaying innovative planting, original artworks, and layered textures and ideas. There&#8217;s also tea and homemade cake! You&#8217;ll leave buzzing with admiration and inspiration. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festival-of-flowers-chichesebter-cathedral-3-6-jun"><a href="https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/events/festival-flowers-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festival of Flowers</a>, Chichesebter Cathedral, 3-6 Jun</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/chichesterflowerfest_2025_gates.jpg" alt="Chichester Festival of Flowers, Sussex" class="wp-image-84280" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/chichesterflowerfest_2025_gates.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/chichesterflowerfest_2025_gates-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/chichesterflowerfest_2025_gates-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/chichesterflowerfest_2025_gates-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This four-day biennial floral extravaganza celebrates its 30<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;anniversary with a fresh theme: Nature’s Embrace. Over 50,000 blooms will be used throughout to create 66 vibrant floral displays and transform this 950-year-old Cathedral. To find out more about what to expect, read our <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/flower-power-meet-the-woman-making-a-cathedral-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interview</a> with the event’s lead designer, Caroline Daines, a Swedish transplant who also has a hit (and delicious) side hustle.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-garden-tour-amp-cream-tea-west-dean-gardens-chichester-various-dates"><a href="https://www.westdean.ac.uk/gardens/events/garden-tour-cream-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Garden Tour &amp; Cream Tea</a>, West Dean Gardens, Chichester, various dates</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/west-dean.png" alt="West Dean Gardens, Sussex" class="wp-image-84801" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/west-dean.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/west-dean-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/west-dean-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/west-dean-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Can&#8217;t even contemplate a garden visit minus a cream tea? Stately homes across the land have us well trained but West Dean has managed to combine scones, jam and of course cream with a some serious garden know-how as you tour these immaculately restored gardens overlooked by the South Downs. In the company of a pair of senior garden team members, you&#8217;ll gain expert insight into the running of areas including the Walled Kitchen Garden, the Orchard, the Dry Meadow and the Victoria Glasshouses. Then it&#8217;s off to the opulence of Oak Hall for those promised refreshments. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-home-amp-lifestyle-fair-king-john-s-nursery-etchingham-6-jun"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/countryhomeandgardenfairs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Home &amp; Lifestyle Fair</a>, King John&#8217;s Nursery, Etchingham, 6 Jun</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/king_johns_nursery.png" alt="King John's Nursery, Sussex" class="wp-image-84558" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/king_johns_nursery.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/king_johns_nursery-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/king_johns_nursery-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/king_johns_nursery-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/king_johns_nursery-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This bijoux garden centre is hosting pocket-sized fair packed with small businesses old and new. You can expect everything from stationery and jewellery to fashion, wellbeing and even a book signing. Crucially, there&#8217;ll be also garden brocante and – equally important for channeling those Chelsea vibes – a garden café. Added bonus: you&#8217;ll be helping support the charity Demelza. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behind-the-scenes-at-great-dixter-northiam-22-jun-nbsp"><a href="https://www.greatdixter.co.uk/ticket-events/behind-the-scenes-at-great-dixter-june/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Behind the Scenes at Great Dixter</a>, Northiam, 22 Jun&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/GreatDixter_summer.jpg" alt="Great Dixter, Sussex" class="wp-image-83533" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/GreatDixter_summer.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/GreatDixter_summer-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/GreatDixter_summer-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/GreatDixter_summer-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/GreatDixter_summer-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Great Dixter’s loveliness is reason enough to visit but for extra incentive, treat yourself to a private viewing on a day when the garden is otherwise closed to the public. It’s a leisurely afternoon in the company of experts, with peeks into the propagation work that goes on in the nursery as well as the inside track on what makes the Great Dixter borders quite so gorgeous. You’ll get to take a closer look at the meadow areas, too, and refreshments will be served. Look out for other summer sessions covering subtropical plants and tips from bygone eras.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-fairs-roadshow-parham-house-amp-gardens-5-jul"><a href="https://www.parhaminsussex.co.uk/events/?doing_wp_cron=1779805597.0909950733184814453125" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Fairs Roadshow</a>, Parham House &amp; Gardens, 5 Jul</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/parham-1000x667.png" alt="Parham House &amp; Gardens, Sussex" class="wp-image-84804" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/parham-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/parham-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/parham-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/parham.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Parham House &amp; Gardens</figcaption></figure>



<p>As backdrops go, Parham&#8217;s Elizabethan house and walled gardens are a class act. While you might not be able to recreate them entirely (hey, a girl can dream!), there&#8217;s here plenty to feel inspired by. Cue, the Plant Fairs Roadshow promises, offering an abundance of temptation. Specialist nurseries from across the South East will be present, selling a wide range of locally grown, garden-worthy plants. Ready to become a trailblazer? There should be plenty of usual specimens up for grabs, too, and growers will be on hand with all the expert knowledge you&#8217;ll need. Check out the venue&#8217;s Rose Week (<strong>12-20 Jun</strong>) and Kitchen Garden Week (<strong>14-18 Jul</strong>), too. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secret-gardens-one-garden-brighton-12-jul"><a href="https://www.onegardenbrighton.com/visit/workshops-and-events/secret-gardens/date/1157/2026-07-12/2026-07-12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Secret Gardens</a>, One Garden Brighton, 12 Jul</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/one-garden.png" alt="One Garden Brighton, Sussex" class="wp-image-84805" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/one-garden.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/one-garden-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/one-garden-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/one-garden-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/one-garden-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: One Garden Brighton</figcaption></figure>



<p>A one-day workshop with witchy skills? Colour us keen! The plants you&#8217;ll meet have a long history of aiding health and wellbeing but no prior herbal knowledge is required. It&#8217;s a practical session, and you&#8217;ll be focussing on medicinal plant identification, ethical foraging, and understanding how to gather plants at their most potent. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specialist-autumn-fair-borde-hill-20-sep"><a href="https://bordehill.co.uk/events/autumn-plant-fair-sussex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Specialist Autumn Fair</a>, Borde Hill, 20 Sep</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/08/Untitled-design-77-1000x667.jpg" alt="Borde Hill, Sussex" /></figure>



<p>Missed the Plant Fairs Roadshow at Parham over the summer? Catch the autumn edit at equally beautiful Borde Hill and give your garden the edge as the season mellows. The on-site gardening team will be available throughout to offer horticultural advice, field questions, and hopefully save some heartache by making sure your chosen plant is going to be happy where you intend to put it.</p>



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Missed the Chelsea Flower Show? Discover local gardening events happening near you

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