18 May 2020

When will we open?
This unprecedented pandemic has thrown us all into unchartered waters.  We have been contacted by many supporters asking when we will open, and the only answer we have at the moment is to say we are staying alert to government updates and will open the Garden as soon as it is safe to do so.

What have we been doing?
Whilst we have been in lockdown, three of our dedicated Garden Team have worked incredibly hard to ensure the Garden is looking its best, even in these difficult times, for when we open, which has been harder without our valued Garden volunteers.

How will we open?
We have also made detailed plans of how we will open our Garden safely when the time is right to do so.  Our priority is to ensure we protect the safety of our staff team, volunteers and visitors. For example with a one way system with different entry and exit points, and with 35 acres of formal garden ‘rooms’, woodland and surrounding parkland there is plenty of space to maintain social distancing. With the peak growing season now upon us, there will be a feast for the senses awaiting you – the beauty of nature in summertime certainly lifts the spirits!

Support our Friends
During these challenging times we have had lots of messages of support and we would like to thank all of our supporters for keeping their Friends of Borde Hill memberships running.  Don’t forget that we will add the weeks we have been closed to your membership so you don’t lose out.  As a small independent charity your membership income is incredibly important to us and helps to fund the maintenance of this internationally important Garden.  To find out more about membership please see http://www.bordehill.co.uk/gold-friends/

How you can help
A simple way that anyone can support Borde Hill is to make a donation.  We value any donation no matter how big or small at https://www.bordehill.co.uk/donate/  As they say, “great oaks from little acorns grow”.  Your support has never been so important.

Keep in touch
We will shortly post news of our reopening plans on our website, but in the meantime, please follow us on social media where we will share some beautiful images of the Garden, to which we look forward to welcoming you to very soon.

24 March 2020

Following the Prime Minister’s address on 23 March, the Garden, Parkland, Woodland, Gift Shop and Café are closed until further notice. The health of our visitors, staff and volunteers remains our top priority and we’re following Government advice to help restrict the spread of coronavirus.

We are sorry for the disappointment this will cause our valued members and visitors but we will re-open as soon as Government advice allows. We will ensure our Friends of Borde Hill memberships are extended to reflect the period of closure and will post updates on this webpage and on social media.

As a small independent charity, this unplanned closure presents a real challenge for the Garden and our staff. We rely on the income we receive from our visitors and members to support the Garden and our horticultural aims and projects. Whilst closed we want to continue to maintain the Garden so that we are ready to welcome visitors back as soon as we are advised it is safe to do so by the Government. It would therefore make a huge difference if you would consider supporting us by making a donation at www.bordehill.co.uk/donate

Thank you for your kind support. We wish you well and hope to welcome you back to the Garden soon.

21 March 2020

Following the governments updated guidelines, the Gardener’s Retreat Café will remain open on a takeaway basis only, serving drinks, cakes and a limited lunch offer. Payment is by contactless card only, with visitors asked to practise social distancing when queuing.

19 March 2020

Borde Hill Garden is remaining open for visitors to enjoy as outlined in the update below. However, we have made the decision to close the Adventure Playground to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, wheelchairs are no longer available for visitors to borrow.

17 March 2020

Coronavirus Precautions – Borde Hill Garden remains open

Borde Hill Garden is monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation carefully and regularly.

Whilst the uncertainty of Coronavirus continues, our priority is the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors whilst keeping the 200 acres of Garden, Parkland and Woodland open to the public for as long as possible.

We want our visitors to continue to enjoy the benefits of being out in the fresh air, whilst being socially responsible and following the advice and guidelines set by the UK Government.  As such, we have put the following additional practices in place to offer reassurance to our visitors:

• Additional hand-sanitisers for visitors to use on site.
• Contactless card payments only to help reduce interaction between visitors and staff.
• Additional cleaning to our usual routines, including regularly disinfecting reception surfaces and keeping doors to our visitor reception and toilets open to reduce contact.
• The ability for Friends of Borde Hill to scan their own membership cards on arrival.
• The Gardener’s Retreat Café will remain open serving a limited lunch menu using disposable cups, plates and cutlery.  Café seating is mainly outdoors and will be spread further apart to allow visitors to practise ‘social distancing’. Orders will be by contactless card payment only.

You are welcome to bring your own picnic and blanket, or use one of the many benches or picnic tables in the fresh air.

We respectfully ask that you do not visit the garden if you or a family member are feeling unwell and that you postpone your visit until you are feeling better.

Some upcoming events will be cancelled, others postponed, so please check our event page for the latest details.

If the Garden does need to close we will keep our website updated and will ensure our Friends of Borde Hill memberships are extended to reflect the period of closure.

As this situation changes, we will update this page accordingly so please check back regularly.