Nymans is spread across 33 acres of prime Sussex countryside and offers the visitor a richly rewarding day out – and you do need a full day because it has so much to offer.
Built over many decades, work started in 1895 when a successful banker, Ludwig Messel established a country retreat for his family. But this high flying immigrant was very keen to merge into British society so he lavished huge sums on both house and gardens as a way to make his mark.
Today we are the beneficiaries of his earnest endeavours as his beloved gardens are now considered amongst the finest in the UK, with large and flowing landscapes leading through to more intimate and intriguing smaller ‘garden rooms’.
Ludwig and his head gardener James Comber were keen plant collectors and brought thousands of unusual and rare plants to Nymans from all over the world, particularly from South America, China and Tasmania. Many of the original tree plantings are now majestically mature with many ‘Champion Trees’ throughout the grounds including the spectacular Lebanese Cedar that dominates the front lawns.
Nymans is an exercise in innovation and as such it is unlike most, yet manages to capture a little of all of the great gardens on Europe.
Head gardener James Comber and his son provided the horticultural expertise for Nymans and their plantings bear witness to great skills. The results create an ever-changing experience for the garden visitor, with bright and colourful mixed borders, darkly mysterious Rhododendron understories, elegant wisteria pergolas, geometric lavender and box parterres, rolling lawns, herbaceous and stone archways the doors of which lead through to new vistas.
Its an all year round garden with special emphasis on spring and summer where the gardening team plant many thousands of bulbs and bedding plants to create a riot of colour. They also lavish great care on the trees, shrubs and miles of hedges which are kept neatly trimmed and elegantly welcoming.
For the enthusiastic walker there are huge areas for woodland rambles, offering extra rewards through arboretums, bluebell woods, wild meadows coppices, sandstone outcrops, lakes, pools and a profusion of wildlife including a birdwatchers paradise.
Watch out for the giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum), it is enormous, albeit still a relative youngster at over 100 years old.
Now under the management of the National Trust the gardens also feature a large nursery where 7,000 plants are raised annually, with many species seen in the gardens available for sale at the garden shop.
Author: Bob Saunders.
Cafes Situated close to the entrance there are lots of tables inside and out. Outside the tables are set amongst the trees in a leafy courtyard. Good selection of food for lunch and cakes for morning or afternoon tea.
During summer the Tea Garden Kiosk is open selling Tea and coffee, cakes and ice creams.
Shop Like all National Properties the shop has a great mix of National Trust items and other quality garden related gifts.
Garden Centre Has a wonderful selection of plants for sale many of which can be seen growing in the garden.
Disabled Access There are mobility buggy tours of the garden and woods. Parts of the garden are accessible by wheelchair. There are lots of designated disabled parking spaces close to the entry.
By Car Travelling from London take M23/A23 towards Brighton. Follow the brown 'National Trust - Nymans" signs from the A23.
Car parking is good.
There is no public transport directly to Nymans. Visitors can take a train to Haywards Heath or Crawley and take a taxi to the gardens.