Borde Hill

We recently enjoyed a wonderful visit to our Partner Garden, Chelsea Physic Garden - a peaceful escape nestled in the heart of London. Bathed in spring sunshine, we wandered through centuries of horticultural history, admiring their stunning setting and beautifully restored Victorian glasshouses. Founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, Chelsea Physic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in London and remains a living centre for plant science, home to over 4,500 species from around the world. We’re delighted that Borde Hill members can visit Chelsea Physic Garden during their opening times, an opportunity to explore this historic and inspiring space whenever you wish. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/edQdCME2 #BordeHillGarden #ChelseaPhysicGarden #PartnerGardens #BotanicGarden #LondonGarden

There are moments in nature's story when even the mightiest of trees must fall. Whether towering over the landscape as a snag or monolith, or felled by the wind’s force, their loss is always felt deeply. Yet even in their stillness, these trees continue to play a vital role, becoming sanctuaries for wildlife and enriching the ecosystem as they return to the earth. In our historic, Grade II listed South Park, these giants add another layer to the beauty of the landscape. Their textured forms create habitats for birds, insects, and fungi, while their presence tells the story of resilience, renewal and the unbroken cycle of life. Each tree, standing or resting, holds a place in this ever-changing tapestry, reminding us that even in loss, there is purpose. #BordeHillGarden #Trees #WoodlandHabitat #Habitat

We were delighted to welcome Cazenove Capital for a day of corporate volunteering, spent within the peace of Warren Wood. Surrounded by birdsong and early spring light, the team worked together to lay new bark paths - creating winding walkways that will invite visitors to slow down and reconnect with the natural world when the woodland opens later this month. This meaningful day reflects the heart of our new Corporate Membership programme which is designed to nurture employee wellbeing, support conservation, and strengthen ties with the local community. To find out more, visit https://lnkd.in/eUHpPiUK

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the many women whose talents make Borde Hill such a unique and special place. From Jay Goddard (née Stephenson Clarke), our first female Managing Director and fifth-generation custodian, to Karen Manton-Cook, our Executive Manager, who inspires our team with such passion, and Babs, one of our many talented gardeners, whose artistry brings beauty to the Garden and her stunning floral displays. As we look ahead, our new partnership with Chantelle Nicholson, Ruth Osborne and Janine Edwards sees The Cordia Collective led by a hugely talented team of women, bringing a fresh vision for food on the estate - one rooted in seasonality, sustainability and connection. Today, and every day, we celebrate their passion, dedication and commitment, and the countless ways they help Borde Hill flourish.   #BordeHillGarden #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #WomenInHorticulture #WomenInLeadership #TheCordiaCollective

We were delighted to host Experience Sussex Partnership's Visitor Economy Network Event, welcoming many local businesses to Borde Hill for an inspiring morning of discussion and collaboration.   It was a privilege to share more about Reinventing Borde Hill - our transformative project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will enhance biodiversity, improve access to our historic landscape, and create new spaces for learning and community engagement.   Gathering in the glorious sunshine amidst the beauty of the Garden, it was wonderful to welcome both familiar and new faces from Knepp Wilding, Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Gravetye Manor Hotel & Restaurant, Mid Sussex District Council, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Aldingbourne Trust, Honeybridge Estate, Bolney Wine Estate, Ridgeview Wine Estate, Edge Tea and Coffee, Albourne Estate, Spirit of the Downs, STOPHAM VINEYARD LTD, Worth Forest Glamping, Firebird Brewing Company Ltd, Knepp Wildland Foundation, Oastbrook Estates Ltd, Horsham District Council, West Sussex County Council, Skoolie Stays & The Vacationist Eco Cabin, Wiston Estate, Historic Sussex Hotels, Elite Hotels UK, East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), HULUKI, EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL LIMITED, Horsted Place Hotel, Marmalade MTB, PLS HARD CONSULTING LIMITED, Caravan and Motorhome Club, China Travel Outbound (Now Guanxi) and Burgess Hill Town Council.   #BordeHillGarden #ExperienceSussex #SussexGarden #SussexTourism  

As March arrives, the Garden stirs with quiet anticipation, the first true whispers of spring weaving through its borders. Now is the time to cut back perennials and ornamental grasses, if they were left standing for winter structure, making space for fresh new shoots to emerge. Hardy annuals can be sown under cover, and spent winter flowers, like snowdrops and aconites, lifted and divided, spreading their beauty to new corners of the garden. Amidst these preparations, magnolias begin their breathtaking display, their branches adorned with soft pink and ivory blooms. Drifts of crocuses and early daffodils scatter colour through the landscape, while rhododendrons and camellias burst into flower, their vibrant hues a striking contrast against glossy evergreen foliage. #BordeHillGarden #MarchGarden #SeasonalTasks #GardeningTips

As we prepare to open the Garden for a new season this Saturday, we find ourselves captivated by the beauty that February brings. Today, our new Head Gardener, Will, shares his first glimpse of what awaits visitors as late winter paints the landscape with soft colour and subtle scent. From the radiant blooms of camellias and hellebores to the fragrant flowers of daphne and witch hazel, the Garden hums with quiet beauty. We’re delighted to welcome our members back a day early on the 14th February, with the Garden opening to all on the 15th February. Stay tuned for more updates and inspiration as the unfolding beauty of the season weaves its magic. #BordeHillGarden #FebruaryFlowers #FebruaryBlooms #Snowdrops #Daffodils #Crocus #Camellia #WinterFlowers

Through the quiet months of winter, the rhythm of our Market Garden never truly stops. Beneath the low sun and shifting skies, work continues - growing and harvesting vibrant salads and sowing the promise of future crops, ready to take root as the year unfolds. Today, our Assistant Grower, Fenella, shares the tasks that have shaped the winter season and delves into how our biodynamic practices guide every step we take. From the careful timing of sowing to nurturing the land’s natural vitality, this approach fosters a symbiotic relationship with the earth, producing chemical-free, delicious produce.⁠ #BordeHillGarden #MarketGarden #BiodynamicFarming #FieldToFork #SustainableGrowing

Across the Garden, camellias are bursting into bloom, their elegant petals unfurling in soft pinks, luminous whites and rich, velvety reds. Each variety has its moment to shine, with some flowering early and others waiting patiently for their turn. Their blooms are as diverse as they are beautiful - some appear as solitary jewels, while others cascade in clusters, creating breathtaking displays against their glossy evergreen leaves. Today, we’re sharing some of the beautiful varieties that grace the Garden, a joyful preview of the display that will be here to greet visitors when we reopen on the 15th of February. #BordeHillGarden #Camellias #WinterBlooms #WinterFlowers #Camellia #WinterGarden

This year will see the transformation of our historic Walled Garden, taking this former kitchen garden forward into a new chapter. Nestled within local Sussex sandstone walls and overlooked by the Victorian Stables built in 1906, the reimagining of this serene space has been led by award-winning designer Ann-Marie Powell - FSGD. The design embraces the ‘rare and unusual’ plants that define Borde Hill’s horticultural legacy, creating a tapestry of heritage varieties and companion planting schemes. Woven together through the principles of biodynamics, the design reflects the harmony of the natural elements, celebrating earth, wind, water and fire across the four quadrants of the garden. The restored Walled Garden will flourish as an edimental haven, transforming this historic space into a vibrant growing space and weaving together beauty, bounty and a connection to our Garden’s rich history. As the restoration takes shape, we want to thank Julie Skelton for beautifully capturing the Walled Garden before its transformation began, preserving its quiet elegance as a reminder of its evolution. #BordeHillGarden #WalledGarden #WalledGardenRestoration #KitchenGarden #Garden #GardenTransformation