History
A Fascinating History of Discovery
Charity
In 1965 Borde Hill Garden became a registered charity and opened its gates to the public for the first time. Our registered charity number is 246589.
1598
Borde Hill House was built by Sir Stephen Borde whose…
Read more1703
Purchased by Walter Gatland with 200 acres for £2,382.
Read more1803
Purchased by Mr Randle for £4,700.
Read more1825
Purchased by Preston family who added the central portion of the…
Read more1853
House passed to a Major MacAdam via his wife, Miss Preston.
Read more1864
Purchased by the Cunliffe Lister family.
Read more1893
Purchased by Col. Stephenson Robert Clarke who built the East Wing,…
Read more1898
South Lawn and Ha-Ha created.
Read more1900-1930
The Clarke family were patrons of some of the great…
Read more1902
Azalea Ring planted with Knapp Hill varieties.
Read more1905
Warren Wood planted.
Read more1906
Roadside plantings.
Read more1910
Stephanie’s Glade planted.
Read more1925
Garden of Allah extended with plants from the collector Kingdon…
Read more1937
Expansion of the collection to the outlying woods (e.g. Gores…
Read more1949
Sir Ralph & Lady Clarke take up residence as Stephenson…
Read more1965
Garden opens to the public as a registered charity.
Read more1972
Sir Ralph Clarke died and was succeeded by his son…
Read more1987
The storm of October 1987 caused extensive damage to the…
Read more1990
Victorian Stable Block converted into Restaurant & Tea Rooms and…
Read more1992
Borde Hill Garden Restoration Study – Lear Associates/Land Use Consultants.
Read more1994
Adventure playground created.
Read more1995
Rose garden recreated based on the 1902 designs shown in…
Read more1997
Heritage Lottery Fund donation for restoring the Victorian Greenhouses and…
Read more2001
Harvey Stephens is appointed head gardener.
Read more2002
The Potting Sheds are refurbished and given a ‘Southern Hemisphere’ theme.
Read more2003
New plantings in The Italian Garden to redefine its Mediterranean…
Read more2005
40th Anniversary of the opening to the public of Borde…
Read more2011
Mid Summer Border planted to a design by Dr Tony…
Read more2013
Paradise Walk re-planted to a new design by James Alexander-Sinclair.
Read more2015
50th anniversary of the Garden opening to the public as…
Read more2017
Installation of the ‘Infinity Box’ in the Long Dell, designed…
Read more2018
125th anniversary of the purchase of Borde Hill by Col….
Read more