This competition has now closed and we are contacting the winner.
Visiting Wakehurst in West Sussex is a bit like walking with Alice Through the Looking Glass. The part where, no matter how hard she tries to reach a particular spot, she winds up somewhere else.
We do that every time we visit.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Even with a map!
But it simply doesn’t matter. There’s always so much to discover – old favourites and new, seasonal surprises and recent additions.
We were there recently to see the latest addition – Planet Wakehurst. The largest outdoor art installation in the UK.
This is a huge photographic work by Catherine Nelson, featuring the plants and wildlife of Wakehurst at sunrise, day-time and sunset, presented in giant form and completely covering the Elizabethan mansion.
Why is Planet Wakehurst there?
The Grade 1 listed Mansion House is undergoing a three-year renovation project to restore its dilapidated roof. Rather than ruin an iconic view across Mansion Pond to the house, Planet Wakehurst is providing a unique backdrop, plus a birds’ eye view of the gardens from a platform.
You can even have a ‘through the keyhole’ moment and follow the restoration project as it develops.
We climbed the 66 steps in the company of Wakehurst’s own Gardener Maud, to take in the 535 acre view and talk all things horticultural.
Gardener Maud and her volunteers
After studying in her home country, Maud Verstappen came from The Netherlands to Wakehurst for work experience, fearing homesickness and worrying about how she would fit in. Within days she fell in love with the place and the people who work there.
‘It’s like a little family. All the people I work with are more than just colleagues. The place is just beautiful and every day is different. The people and the landscape are what I love about Wakehurst – the gardens have stolen my heart.’
Maud stayed on, first as a volunteer, then the role of Horticulture Volunteer Lead was created just for her. And after 11 years she says she’s still learning, and loving life at Wakehurst.
Maud is responsible for three teams of around 8 volunteers who work on different days in different parts of the garden.
‘We’re so grateful for their kindness and the time they give. You can see immediately the difference they make, and I am so proud of what they achieve. When they first arrive, they don’t know each other, but soon become good friends. And they work with us, sharing their own knowledge. I learn a lot from them.’
Maud says moving the teams around the garden is great for everyone, including herself. It means everyone gets to experience the garden’s contrasting landscapes and moods.
‘Of course I have some favourite places, but there are so many, it’s unfair to choose just one. After a long day I like to relax in the Walled Garden with a book, when all the visitors have gone, and pretend it’s all mine! It’s so peaceful there.’
‘I love the Coronation Meadow with all its different colours in summer. And towards the lake it’s so special – you could be in Australia, or America, with the various landscapes.’
If you follow Gardener Maud on Instagram you’ll see she’s out in all seasons, at all times of the day.
‘The South Park on a summer’s day at sunrise, around 4am, is very special. It seems a bit crazy, but when you see beautiful mist as the sun rises, it’s worth it.’
Maud remains understandably cautious about saying too much about some of the garden’s rarer plants, and won’t give away their exact locations. But she says everyone should keep an eye out everywhere and if you see something you don’t know, just ask.
‘All the staff and volunteers know so much, they’ll probably be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, they’ll find someone who can. And with the Millennium Seed Bank on site, we have access to scientists from all around the world. Even the most experienced gardeners have something new to learn.’
With so much to explore, it’s no wonder visitors sometimes miss things.
The areas close to the Mansion are the most popular. The paths are easy to walk, good for buggies and wheelchairs, and packed with plenty of beautiful plants.
There are wooden walkways through the Water Gardens and Iris Dell, but if you can manage steps and some of the steeper, more uneven paths, you’ll be led even deeper into the heart of the gardens.
And, just like Alice Through the Looking Glass, you might find yourself somewhere extraordinary.
So after a quick coffee in the café (and a rhubarb and custard cronut for Pork Belly!) we left Maud to her work and headed off, map in hand, to explore for ourselves.
Undiscovered treasures at Wakehurst
Firstly, we strolled through the Water Gardens to a viewpoint looking out over a deeply wooded valley we’re sure we’ve never seen in daylight, although we recognised it as a backdrop for one of the spectacular illuminations at last year’s Glow Wild.
From there we struck off up a little used grass path to reach the newly planted American Prairie.
Then we took Maud’s advice and visited Coronation Meadow (open from May to October) with its wood carved seats, lush grass and tall wildflowers.
A path through the meadow brought us to bird-filled Horsebridge Wood, where we heard song thrushes for the first time in many years.
At this point, many visitors turn back towards the centre, and we heard the siren call of coffee and more cake. But we resisted (for once!) and instead chose the outside circuit through Coates Wood to Pearcelands Wood.
A magical wild wood
Here we found a new, very Alice-like, delight. A wild wood populated with willow sculptures of woodland creatures, outsize furniture and fantasy figures.
Open for the first time in 3 years, the hazel coppice has been transformed into something magical with more than a hint of life down the rabbit hole.
Long-eared hares leap by the side of a path, while a huge bird appears above your head. Around every corner there’s something surprising. A family of badgers, a majestic stag, colourful woodpecker and just what could have laid such enormous eggs in that giant nest?
If you’ve still got some energy left, you can challenge each other on the nearby Tree Trunk Trek, an adventurous log trail where you crawl, climb, jump and balance your way round the course.
We considered having a go, but the call of the café could no longer be ignored!
Maybe next time …
Want to explore Wakehurst yourself?
Here’s your chance to experience the gardens, courtesy of Wakehurst and Rosemary and Pork Belly.
Win a family ticket to Wakehurst in West Sussex
This competition has now closed and we are contacting the winner.
Wakehurst have given us a family ticket for two adults and up to 4 children, worth £33.
Just use the Gleam widget below to answer a question, and you could be exploring the wonderful world of plants, and the new Planet Wakehurst installation.
Win a family ticket to Wakehurst
Note: The voucher is for two adults and up to four children, worth £33, redeemable by 31 August 2023 on any day at Wakehurst, excluding ticketed events such as workshops, Glow Wild and evening events. Full Wakehurst Ts & Cs here.
Competition closes midnight UK time Saturday 17 June 2023.
Full competition terms and conditions here.
Getting to Wakehurst
Situated at Ardingly near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, Wakehurst is nestled in the High Weald, 25 minutes south of the M25 and 30 minutes north of Brighton.
Most visitors come by car, but if you travel by bike or public transport, you’ll get a 50% discount off. Bus route 272 from Crawley, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill stops outside Wakehurst.
Car parking is included in the price of your ticket, but you will need to get your ticket validated before you leave. National Trust members get free entry to Wakehurst, but have to pay for car parking if they stay longer than 45 minutes.
Wakehurst is open from 10 am until 6pm every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Tickets in 2023 cost £16.50 for adults, £8.25 for young people aged 17 – 25 and free for 16s and under.
For details of planned closures and special events, see their website
Accessibility is good, with level paths across many areas, and the map clearly shows where there are steep paths and steps.
Dogs on a lead are welcome, except in a few designated dog-free areas.
Full details on accessibility can be found here
There is a café and kitchen on site serving snacks and hot meals, all freshly prepared. There are gluten-free and vegetarian options, but not much choice for vegans.
You are welcome to bring a picnic as long as you stick to the grassy areas and no barbecues or garden furniture allowed.
All images copyright © rosemaryandporkbelly
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