We drove through the pretty Sussex countryside to visit these Gardens, having had them recommended to us by friends. Parking was easy and what an imposing ancient private family home Pashley Manor is. We used our Gardeners’ World card to gain 2 for 1 entry to the gardens and spent what we saved on that to enjoy a coffee and scone each on the terrace of the restaurant. We were overlooking an expanse of grass and trees that overhang the water. I thought at first there were masses of leaves floating on it, but on closer inspection they turned out to be hundreds of goldfish.
We strolled round the eleven acres admiring the various walled gardens and beautiful flower beds, and over the bridge to the island. There were attractive fountains and and ponds and lots of wonderful sculptures dotted around. They were mostly of animals and children – really lifelike. When we visited it was the special time for lilies and the smell was intoxicating. It was a tranquil stroll through the woodland by the little ponds and past carved faces made on some of the tree trunks.
We ate our picnic at benches on the field near to the car park and then returned to look round the kitchen garden which was choc a bloc with delicious-looking produce. The gardener was hard at work but when my husband commented on how we so needed rain and mentioned he has an allotment, he seemed only too happy to stop and chat with him.
All in all it was a lovely day out and we certainly hope to return in the Spring for their tulip festival.
