Outstanding 20th-century garden, set around a romantic house and ruins, in beautiful woodland. In the late 1800s Ludwig Messel bought the Nymans Estate in the Sussex High Weald to make a dream family home. Inspired by the wooded surroundings he created a garden with plants collected from around the world.
Traditional buildings in a rural landscape that tell the story of the men, women and children who lived and worked in them over a 600-year period. You can explore the 50-acre site and visit some of our 50 exhibit buildings. Many of our exhibit houses are furnished to recreate historic domestic interiors.
Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior – a glimpse of medieval splendour. Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis, 14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments. Windows where arrows were once fired, a tower that was once a look-out and ruins that were once walked upon by knights; this is a place where you can relive your childhood memories and let your imagination run riot.
Set high on a hill in West Sussex, this great Castle commands the landscape with magnificent views across the South Downs and the River Arun. Built at the end of the 11th Century, it has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for nearly 1000 years.
The Long Man of Wilmington, mysterious guardian of the South Downs, who has baffled archaeologists and historians for hundreds of years. Until recently, it was believed that the earliest record of Europe’s largest representation of the human form was a drawing dated to 1766.
As seen on BBC2′s ‘Antiques Road Trip’. The only one of its kind open to the public, this beautiful 15th century Wealden hall house stands in a traditional cottage garden on the edge of the Ashdown Forest in picturesque West Hoathly.
Arts and Crafts family home with Morris & Co. interiors, set in a beautiful hillside garden. Come and see a family home and garden brought to life in this gem of the Arts & Crafts Movement, hidden at the end of a quiet Sussex lane, with views over the Ashdown Forest and Weirwood Reservoir.
Nestled in the beautiful South Downs National Park and housed in a classic example of a 17th Century Sussex flint barn, this unique attraction gives you the opportunity to experience a traditional and authentic family run working farm, packed full of quintessential English charm.
Experience some of our finest countryside between Winchester, the first capital of England, and the white chalk cliffs at Eastbourne. If you’re looking for attractive wildlife, visible prehistory, fine pubs and pretty villages, or if you just fancy a challenge, the South Downs Way awaits you.
Step back in time though mysterious tunnels and caverns to discover the dark secrets of the smugglers. Join notorious smuggler ‘Hairy Jack’ as he leads you through acres of underground caverns, passages and tunnels on a voyage back through time to the heyday of smuggling.