Garden Visits 2026
Open only to members of the Arundel Gardens Association.
To book a place on a garden visit, please print and complete the Garden Visits Form.
RHS Wisley
Friday 8 May 9:30 am – 5:30 pm (depart and arrive Arundel)
Our Association is affiliated to the RHS and 55 of us may visit at one time, during the year, free of charge. The route these days, though, is tricky and so we have hired a coach to take us to and from Wisley. The charge for this is £16 per AGA member.
You will have read in the gardening press about the many changes at Wisley and a visit there never fails to inspire. There is a new research centre, a plant centre, restaurants and cafes – and a shop. RHS experts will be able to advise and help, so all we need to hope for is a sunny day (although even in rain, given the many spots to sit, eat and drink, we shall have a lovely day). Fully booked, waiting list only.
The Walled Garden at Petworth House
Wednesday 20 May 2:30 pm
Lady Egremont has kindly invited us for a very special second visit, and this on a date chosen by her when the white wisteria pergolas should be at their peak.
£22 per AGA member to include elderflower cordial and cake. Fully booked, waiting list only.
Shalford House, Kingsley Green
Wednesday 15 July 2 pm
Paul Morrow, one of the owners (and garden designers) of Shalford House will give us a talk about the garden, walk round with us and then allow us plenty of time for our own wanderings. The garden is a plantsman’s heaven. A stream meanders its way from the house to a great lake, there are separate “garden rooms”, a courtyard, a greenhouse… and all overflowing with colour and delight.
£22 per AGA member to include tea and cake. Fully booked, waiting list only.
The Oast (Mayfield) and Brightling Down Farm (Dallington)
Thursday 6 August 9:30 am – 6:30 pm (depart and arrive Arundel)
The garden at The Oast is generous, the eye of a very good gardener everywhere apparent. There are wide borders packed, in March, with thousands of tulips and the most special of species trees and shrubs, also a newish no-dig woodland garden with pale hellebores and Cornus. Tessa Crowe is increasingly inspired by Great Dixter and her elegant, relaxed planting has all its hallmarks. She propagates seeds and cuttings in her greenhouse, and dahlias, their winter fleece recently removed, are almost ready for planting.
In August, the beds will be full of these and other colourful plants, the Rambling Rector tearing along a fence! The gage, quince, apple and pear trees will be bearing fruit, and Mike Crowe’s vegetable beds full of treasure. This lovely garden, created on what was the hop orchard, will be pure joy. And that’s before we raise our eyes to the view!
The Oast will be open for the NGS on 18/19 April. There is an article about The Oast in the April issue of the RHS Garden magazine.
The garden at Brightling Down Farm was designed by Acres Wild. It is a large garden of many parts and was awarded the premier prize from the Society of Garden Designers. There is a vegetable garden with two large greenhouses, an herb garden, herbaceous borders (I remember billowing Nepeta) and a truly marvellous water garden. Descending the hillside behind the house a stream is gathered into ponds and the planting is second to none. This is something completely different!
The owners cannot be there on our choice of day, but the Head Gardener will talk to us about the garden, show us round, serve us tea and cake – and allow time for our own meanderings, which might include a woodland walk, also part of the garden.
We shall take a 25-seater coach, and we shall find a good place for lunch. Details will be sent to all participants.
To book a place on a garden visit, please print and complete the Garden Visits Form.