Looking this afternoon for a Christmas tree went to Wakehurst near Ardingly, part of Kew Gardens. One of the most beautiful Gardens in Sussex but need to pay to park (except for first 45 minutes (and takes up to 2 hours to walk round not including visit to shop)) or unless you are a Wakehurst member (NT membership is now included in this deal if you bring your membership card). Phone before you go to check what latest deal is. Kew is nice but prefer Wakehust because of countryside.
In the spring the Magnolia in the water garden and the Azalias and Rhodendrons in the Himalayan Glade are lovely. Further on you walk thru different pines and Californian Redwoods to a valley which wonder may have been used by knights for jousting (its just the right size) – its a hauntingly atmospheric place on the edge of a forest which you step into after the pines trees.
Kenneth Branagh’s film ‘As You Like It’ used this Garden for their location and the Millenium Seed Bank is there
Discovered chatting to people who netted the tree for me, because to be honest asked if it could be a little cheaper.. they were struggling as didnt get any funding from the National Trust because belong to Kew – but Kew doesnt have enough money either. If you buy a Wakehurst card you’ll also get 10% off the tree (hope this is true currently).
If you buy your Christmas tree from Wakehurst apart from what it cost them to buy the trees – the rest will go to the Garden to help cover huge overheads of keeping this Garden open. Otherwise there is a possibility it might close
Wakehurst is worth a visit – especially if you havnt bought your tree (also good place to shop – nice presents but could be less expensive.)
sunnypolarbear 