Borde Hill Garden

About the venue

A Grade II* listed garden near Haywards Heath, with 13 garden rooms, champion trees and 383 acres of parkland around an Elizabethan house rebuilt in 1598. The house hosts board meetings and dinners for 70, and a garden marquee takes 80.

The words 'Power of Plants' are written on the walls of Borde Hill's house. They go back to its roots: in 1598 the house was rebuilt by Stephen Borde, grandson of Henry VIII's physician and herbalist Andrew Borde.

The Stephenson Clarke family has owned the estate since 1893. Colonel Stephenson R Clarke paid for plant-hunting trips to Japan, China, Burma, Tasmania and the Andes. The result is one of the rarest private collections of champion trees in the UK. One of them is a Meliosma beaniana in Warren Wood. It was collected in China by Ernest H Wilson, and only three grow in Britain.

The garden is laid out as 13 outdoor rooms, including the Azalea Ring, an Italian Garden and a Rose Garden. Around them are 383 acres of Grade II* listed parkland and woodland in the High Weald, with views of the Ouse Valley Viaduct.

For private hire, the mansion's period rooms host board meetings, conferences and client entertaining. The Animal Room seats 70 for dinner and the Dining Room around 20. A decorated marquee in the garden takes up to 80 for daytime events.

The restored Victorian stables now house Edie's Kitchen and Restaurant Isca, a glasshouse restaurant. Both cook with produce from the estate's biodynamic Market Garden.

Elizabethan mansion rebuilt in 1598

13 garden rooms in Grade II* listed parkland

Rare champion tree collection

Animal Room dinners for 70

Dining Room for about 20

Garden marquee for 80, from £700 + VAT

Restaurant Isca and Edie's Kitchen

Views of the Ouse Valley Viaduct