History: The Garden was
created in the early 1900’s with plants gathered by the great plant
collectors from their travels to the Himalayas, China, Burma,
Tasmania and the Andes - a legacy which today’s visitors continue
to experience and enjoy. Listed as Grade II* importance by English
Heritage on its register of Parks and Gardens, Borde Hill contains
the best private collection of champion trees in Britain and one of
the most comprehensive collections of trees and shrubs in the
world. In 1999 it won the South East Tourism Board’s prestigious
‘Attraction of the Year’ award, and in 2004 it won the HHA /
Christies Garden of the Year. Our garden team are proud to invite
you to visit us.
Charity: In 1965 Borde Hill Garden became a registered charity and opened its gates to the public for the first time. Registered charity number: 246589
Charity: In 1965 Borde Hill Garden became a registered charity and opened its gates to the public for the first time. Registered charity number: 246589
| 1598 |
Borde Hill built
by Sir Stephen Borde whose family lived in Cuckfield for
generations. "SB 1598" above West porch. |
| 1705 |
Purchased by
Walter Gatland with 200 acres for £2,382 |
| 1803 |
Purchased by Mr
Randle for £4,700 |
| 1825 |
Purchased by
Preston family who added the central portion of the house. Their
family crest can be seen in the house and the gate to the Rose
garden. |
| 1853 |
House passed to
a Major MacAdam via his wife, Miss Preston |
| 1864 |
Purchased by
Lister family. |
| 1893 |
Purchased by
Col. Stephenson Robert Clarke who built the East Wing, altered and
restored the central Southern bay windows & added the present
porch to the North front door |
| 1898 |
South Lawn and
Ha-Ha created. |
| 1900-
1930 |
The Clarke
family were patrons of some of the great plant collectors who went
to the Himalayas, China, Tasmania, the Andes and North
America. |
| 1902 |
Azalea Ring
planted with Knapp Hill varieties |
| 1905 |
Warren Wood
planted |
| 1906 |
Roadside
plantings |
| 1910 |
Stephanie's
Glade planted |
| 1925 |
Garden of Allah
extended with plants from the collector Kingdon
Ward |
| 1937 |
Expansion of the
collection to the outlying woods (e.g. Gores
Wood) |
| 1949 |
Sir Ralph &
Lady Clarke take up residence as Stephenson R. Clarke died in 1948
aged 86. |
| 1965 |
Garden opens to
the public as a registered charity |
| 1972 |
Sir Ralph Clarke
died and was succeeded by his son Robert Nunn Stephenson
Clarke. |
| 1987 |
The storm of
October 1987 caused extensive damage to the gardens and woods.
Robert N. Stephenson Clarke died and was succeeded by his son
Andrewjohn Patrick Stephenson Clarke. |
| 1990 |
Victorian Stable
Block converted into Restaurant & Tea Rooms and creation of the
lakes in the South Park |
| 1992 |
Borde Hill
Garden Restoration Study - Lear Associates / Land Use
Consultants |
| 1994 |
Adventure
playground and children's fishing introduced |
| 1995 |
Rose garden
recreated based on the 1902 designs shown in Country Life
magazine |
| 1997 |
Heritage Lottery
Fund donation for restoring the Victorian Greenhouses and access
improvements |
| 2001 |
Harvey Stephens
is appointed head gardener |
| 2002 |
The Potting
Sheds are refurbished and given a 'Southern Hemisphere'
theme. |
| 2003 |
New plantings in
The Italian Garden to redefine its Mediterranean
inspiration. |
| 2005 |
40th Anniversary
of the opening to the public of Borde Hill Garden and centenary of
Warren Wood. |