Photo: Martin Pettitt from Bury St Edmunds, UK, CC BY 2.0Gardens to visit in Sussex this autumn and winter
The High Weald has some of England's great woodland gardens, and they come into their own in autumn. Sheffield Park's five lakes, Leonardslee's seven and Wakehurst's woodland and wetland make for long, colourful walks before the light goes.
Winter is quieter but not empty. West Dean is open all year, Borde Hill halves its prices from 2 November, and Herstmonceux keeps its gardens open through the winter months.
From late November the light trails take over. Glow Wild at Wakehurst and Leonardslee Lights both need timed tickets booked ahead.
For autumn colour
Lakes, champion trees and woodland valleys.
Image: National TrustSheffield Park and Garden
A Grade I listed landscape garden built around five lakes linked by cascades, shaped by 'Capability' Brown and Humphry Repton. The wider parkland and East Park suit a longer walk with the dog.
Why it's here: Five lakes linked by cascades, shaped by 'Capability' Brown and Humphry Repton, with more than 300 acres of parkland beyond. The garden opens at 9am.
Image: Wakehurst (RBG Kew)Wakehurst
Kew's wild botanic garden in the High Weald, home to the Millennium Seed Bank and big swathes of woodland, wetland and meadow. It suits a long family walk, and children's tickets are cheap.
Why it's here: Kew's wild botanic garden, with woodland, wetland and the Millennium Seed Bank. Late entry from 3.30pm is half price for adults.
Image: National TrustNymans
A romantic garden wrapped around a house that is part home and part dramatic ruin. Rare plant collections fill the garden, and beyond it ancient woodland leads down to a lake and cascades.
Why it's here: Rare plant collections around a part-ruined house, with woodland walks down to a lake and cascades.
Image: Leonardslee Lakes and GardensLeonardslee Lakes and Gardens
A 240-acre Grade I listed woodland garden set around a chain of seven lakes in a steep valley. Free-roaming wallabies, a sculpture park and a dolls' house museum give children plenty to find as they explore.
Why it's here: A 240-acre woodland garden around seven lakes in a steep valley, with free-roaming wallabies fed daily at noon.
Image: Borde Hill GardenBorde Hill Garden
A botanically rich garden of outdoor garden rooms and champion trees, set in Grade II* listed parkland with woodland walks and an adventure playground with a zip wire. Winter half-price entry makes it a good-value walk from November.
Why it's here: Champion trees and outdoor garden rooms in listed parkland, plus an adventure playground. Admission is half price from 2 November.
Open through the winter
For a frosty walk with a hot drink at the end.
Image: West Dean GardensWest Dean Gardens
West Dean Gardens sits at the foot of the South Downs north of Chichester and is one of the finest restored gardens open to the public. Highlights include the Victorian glasshouses, a productive Walled Kitchen Garden, a 100-metre Edwardian pergola and the 49-acre St Roche's Arboretum. It is open year round, with a restaurant, tea cottage and shops on site.
Why it's here: Open all year, with restored Victorian glasshouses, a walled kitchen garden and the 49-acre St Roche's Arboretum.
Image: Herstmonceux Castle EstateHerstmonceux Castle Estate and Gardens
A 15th-century moated brick castle set in formal gardens and woodland, now the UK campus of a Canadian university. The grounds and gardens are open year round, and you can see inside the castle on a guided tour.
Why it's here: Formal and walled gardens around a moated castle, open 10am to 4pm from November to March.
Image: Sussex Archaeological Society (Sussex Past)Michelham Priory House and Gardens
A priory founded by Augustinian canons in 1229, set on a medieval moated island near Hailsham. Rooms inside reflect different periods of its 800-year history, and seven acres of grounds include kitchen, physic and herb gardens.
Why it's here: Physic and medieval herb gardens on a moated island, open Wednesday to Sunday from 2 November to 20 December.
After dark and festive
Light trails and a makers' market in the gardens.
Image: Wakehurst (RBG Kew)Glow Wild at Wakehurst
Wakehurst's winter light trail winds for just over a mile through the botanic garden after dark, lit by lanterns and large installations. Allow about an hour, and book ahead because every visitor needs a timed ticket.
Why it's here: Just over a mile of lanterns and large installations through the garden on 31 evenings from 26 November. Off-peak adult tickets are £21.
Image: Leonardslee Lakes and GardensLeonardslee Lights
A winter light trail through Leonardslee's Grade I listed woodland gardens, taking 60 to 90 minutes on foot. Afterwards, Leonardslee Village serves mulled wine, doughnuts and local food until 10pm, with fire pits for toasting marshmallows.
Why it's here: A 60 to 90 minute trail through the woodland gardens from 27 November, with fire pits and mulled wine afterwards. The route has a steep descent and climb.
Image: National TrustSnowdogs Discover Sheffield Park and Garden
Ten hand-painted Snowdog sculptures inspired by The Snowman and The Snowdog are hidden around the winter garden at Sheffield Park. Game stops and activities along the way keep younger children moving between the lakes.
Why it's here: Ten hand-painted Snowdog sculptures hidden around the winter garden from 28 November. The trail is free with garden admission.
Image: West Dean GardensWest Dean Christmas Market
A makers' market spread through the estate rooms of West Dean House and its front lawn, with art, crafts, food and drink from more than 45 stalls. Carol singing, live music and demonstrations from West Dean tutors add to the atmosphere.
Why it's here: More than 45 stalls through the estate rooms of West Dean House on 27 and 28 November, by pre-booked time slot at £12.50.
Questions people ask
Which Sussex gardens are open in winter?
West Dean Gardens is open all year, Herstmonceux opens 10am to 4pm from November to March, and Borde Hill opens with half-price entry from 2 November, closing from 24 to 28 December.
When is Glow Wild at Wakehurst in 2026?
Glow Wild runs on 31 evenings from 26 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, with entry slots from 4pm. Every visitor needs a timed ticket booked in advance.
Is Pashley Manor open in winter?
No. Pashley Manor Gardens reopens on 1 April 2027, though its gift shop opens for Christmas shopping daily from 19 November to 2 December 2026.